The call to action extends to Member States and stakeholders within the maritime industry, urging them to reflect on MARPOL’s positive impacts and inspire further progress.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), a pivotal global treaty safeguarding the marine environment from various sources of pollution. This year’s World Maritime Day, held under the theme “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on,” emphasizes IMO’s unwavering dedication to the objectives of this landmark treaty.
The call to action extends to Member States and stakeholders within the maritime industry, urging them to reflect on MARPOL’s positive impacts and inspire further progress.
In sync with this milestone, the IMO-UNEP-Norway Innovation Forum 2023 convenes on September 28 at IMO Headquarters, London, and online. This forum champions innovation as a catalyst for propelling the marine sector toward a future characterized by zero- and low-emission practices.
Noteworthy topics addressed in high-level panel discussions encompass environmental performance, curbing plastic pollution from ships, fostering innovation in marine fuel production, decarbonizing the maritime sector, unlocking green finance, and fostering partnerships and collaboration.
In his address regarding the World Maritime Theme for 2023, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim acknowledged the strides already taken in regulating to safeguard ocean health. He emphasized the pressing need for the shipping industry to embrace decarbonization, digitalization, and innovative technologies, including automation.
Lim stressed the importance of maintaining a human-centric approach to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations, asserting that MARPOL has been instrumental in positively impacting shipping and ocean health and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres marked World Maritime Day by issuing a rallying call for collective action in realizing a just and equitable transition to a greener, decarbonized shipping industry.
Guterres lauded MARPOL’s substantial contributions to enhancing the safety and cleanliness of shipping operations, urging all stakeholders to build on the legacy of this convention and work together towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for this crucial industry, and, ultimately, a safer future for humanity.
The theme, “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on,” serves as a beacon illuminating IMO’s critical regulatory efforts spanning half a century to shield the environment from the adverse effects of shipping. It underscores the Organization’s enduring pledge to further support the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).