The 94th (Maritime) Session of the International Labour Conference, which adopted the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, also adopted a number of resolutions. Resolution IV, concerning the development of guidelines for port State control, requested that the Director-General of the ILO convene a tripartite expert meeting to develop suitable guidance for port State control officers. Resolution XIII, concerning the development of guidelines for flag State inspection, requested that the Director-General convene a tripartite expert meeting to develop suitable guidance for flag State inspection.

In accordance with a decision taken by the ILO Governing Body at its 301st (March 2008) Session, the Tripartite Expert Meeting to Adopt Guidelines on Flag State Inspections under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 was held from 15 to 19 September 2008.