World Maritime Day 2013 on 26th September 2013
IMO’s Secretary-GeneralKoji Sekimizu, at London’s International Shipping Week event last week, referred to IMO’s “Sustainable Maritime Development” and World Maritime Day 2013 on 26th September, with this year’s theme being Sustainable Development: IMO’s contribution beyond Rio+20.
The widely accepted definition of sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It is generally understood to have three main components – economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and social sustainability.
Mr Sekimizu said “How does this translate to the maritime context? I think that we need to look at this from two different aspects. First, does shipping and its related activities have a part to play in global sustainable development in a general sense? And second, how can shipping ensure that its own development is also sustainable? “
“At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development last year, Rio+20, I stated that maritime transportation is an essential component of sustainable development because the world relies on a safe, secure and efficient international shipping industry. “
This is only possible under the comprehensive regulatory framework developed and maintained by IMO, which provides a blueprint for countries to develop their maritime transport infrastructure in a safe, efficient and environmentally sound manner.
The shipping, and port, industries are vital links in the global supply chain, the complex mechanism without which today’s inter-dependent, global economy would be simply unable to function. Shipping has always provided the only truly cost-effective method of bulk transport over any great distance, and the development of shipping and the establishment of a global system of trade are intrinsically and inherently linked, according to Secretary-General.
“Not only is shipping cost-effective, it is also relatively safe, secure and environmentally sound. It provides reliable mass transportation for energy, materials, foods and industrial products, all over the world, and at a price that society can afford, and is willing to pay.”
IMO’s Secretary-General Mr. Sekimizu said
“So, to me, it seems inevitable that shipping must be at the heart of sustainable development, and that shipping itself must ensure that its own development is also sustainable. The sustainable development and growth of the world’s economy will not be possible without similar sustainable growth in shipping and, therefore, in the entire maritime sector.”
Mr Sekimizu said that one of the main outcomes of the Rio+20 Conference was the agreement by States to launch a process to develop Sustainable Development Goals. At the global level, Governments, through the United Nations are working to translate this important concept into something truly tangible.
“Immediately after Rio+20, I started working on sustainable maritime development. As a first step, I established an internal mechanism to join with our industry partners in developing the concept of a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System.On World Maritime Day, two weeks from today, on 26 September, I have invited interested Member States and organizations to discuss the concept at a symposium, to highlight the importance of shipping and the maritime transportation system as an indispensable component for future growth and sustainable development. “
He also added “I will take the opportunity of the symposium to launch our concept of a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System, which has been just finalized and will be released shortly. “
Learn more about World Maritime Day 2013 in the Safety4Sea articles
