IMO is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. With 174 Member States and three Associate Members, IMO is based in London with around 300 international staff. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. IMO's work supports the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.