Speaking at the opening of IMO’s 30th Assembly session, on 27 November, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Kitack Lim outlined the key elements of the new “Strategic Plan for the Organization” for 2018 to 2023, which is expected to be adopted by the Assembly, noting that the whole world would be watching the Organization in 2018 ‘looking for something of real substance’.
“The seven strategic directions point us now towards more effective rule-making and implementation processes by integrating new and advancing technology to respond to our challenges, among others, to increase ship safety, including addressing new emerging technologies such as autonomous vessels, our contribution to combat climate change, engagement in ocean governance, mitigation of cyber-crimes, and facilitation of international trade, whilst continuing to take due consideration on the human element factor,” he said.
He specifically highlighted his ambition to transform IMO into a “knowledge based Organization”, with appropriate analysis to support and improve the already effective rule making process and enhance implementation. The rapidly increasing pace of change in every sphere raised a fundamental issue, since technology will move far quicker than the regulatory process, he said.
“Digital disruption will arrive in the shipping world very soon; and, when it does, IMO must be ready. For me, this means the regulatory framework for shipping must be based firmly around goals and functions rather than prescriptive solutions…I know we have already made good steps in that direction but we must go further and faster in the coming years.”
The Organization as a whole needed to become more effective, more nimble and more adaptive, Mr. Lim also stressed, embracing data in the Secretariat’s work and in the decision-making processes.
“For IMO, we need to have more detailed and deeper analysis of statistics and data so that we can really understand underlying trends and causal factors behind shipping casualties; and we must make sure that additions and amendments to the regulatory framework are also based, wherever possible, on relevant statistics, studies and analysis. This would pave the way for better regulation, one that not only takes into account the work carried out to reduce administrative burdens, but to avoid disproportionate requirements, as well as addressing obsolete and unnecessary ones.”
In addition, Mr. Kitack Lim, urged Member States to seize the opportunity to set bold and ambitious goals, when they adopt an initial strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping in 2018.
“Next year really will be a time when the world will expect IMO Member States to deliver a clear vision as the first stage of the approved roadmap. I urge you, be bold; set ambitious goals that really will make a difference. You have a real opportunity here to do something of lasting significance. Make the most of it.”
IMO’s work to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated Sustainable Development Goals was also addressed.
“Because most of the elements of the 2030 Agenda will only be realized with a sustainable transport sector supporting world trade and facilitating the global economy, aspects of IMO’s work can be linked to almost all of the individual SDGs,” Mr. Lim said.
