During Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sustainable maritime development during a side-event organized at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in this Brazilian city.
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu said promoting sustainable shipping and sustainable maritime development would be one of the major priorities of his tenure as IMO secretary general.
“Shipping is an essential component of any program for sustainable development. The world relies on a safe, secure and efficient international shipping industry, and this is provided by the comprehensive regulatory framework developed and maintained by IMO,” Sekimizu said.
He presented his vision at the panel discussion on “Sustainable Maritime Development – Contribution of Maritime Transport to Green Growth and Inclusive Development”.
Sekimizu said through its technical co-operation activities, IMO helps build capacity to enable developing countries to participate fully in maritime activities.
“This generates wealth, jobs and economic activity not only in the maritime sector but in other areas that rely on maritime trade for access to global markets,” Sekimizu said.
“The development and implementation, through IMO, of global standards covering maritime safety, environmental protection, maritime security and the facilitation of maritime traffic, will underpin green and sustainable shipping and confirm IMO’s ability to provide the appropriate institutional framework for sustainable maritime development,” he added.
Also participating in the side-event at Rio+20 was Professor Björn Kjerfve, president, World Maritime University (WMU); David Tongue, director of Regulatory Affairs,International Chamber of Shipping (ICS); Antonio Fritz, Latin America Caribbean regional secretary, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF); Vice Admiral Ilques Barbosa Jr., director of Ports and Coasts, Brazilian Navy; Fer M.J. van de Laar, managing director, International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH);
Lars Robert Pedersen, deputy secretary-general, BIMCO; Paul Sadler, Accredited Representative to IMO, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS); Wendy Watson-Wright, assistant director general, UNESCO, and executive secretary, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC);
Andrew Hudson, had, Water & Ocean Governance Program, United Nations Development Program, and coordinator, UN-Oceans; and Paul Holthus, executive director, World Ocean Council.
During Rio+20, IMO has also participated in “The Oceans Day at Rio+20”, on 16 June, a high-level event attended by more than 375 participants from 169 organizations and 46 countries. The co-chairs issued the “Rio Ocean Declaration”, which calls for strong and immediate action to meet the sustainable development goals for oceans, coasts, and small island developing states (SIDS), at Rio+20 and beyond.
The IMO is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
Source: Malaya Business Insight
