In 2015, 193 countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

This Agenda calls for action by all countries to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030 world-wide – and the SDGs are seen as an opportunity to transform the world for the better and leave no one behind.

As part of the United Nations family, IMO is actively working towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated SDGs. Indeed, most of the elements of the 2030 Agenda will only be realized with a sustainable transport sector supporting world trade and facilitating global economy. IMO’s Technical Cooperation Committee has formally approved linkages between the Organization’s technical assistance work and the SDGs.

While SDG 14 is central to IMO, aspects of the Organization’s work can be linked to all individual SDGs, as can be seen below. Click here to download the IMO SDG brochure.​

The Sustainable Development Goals provide a blueprint for the transition to a healthier planet and a more just world — for present and future generations. With concrete targets, the Goals aim to end poverty and hunger, expand access to health, education, justice and jobs, promote inclusive and sustained economic growth, while protecting our planet from environmental degradation.

Action for people and planet – United Nations High Level Week

The decade 2020-2030 needs to be a decade of action and delivery on these goals. In order to achieve this, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has asked for all world leaders to focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, with five upcoming Summits, which will be held back-to back to the UN General Assembly, on heads of State level:

Climate Action Summit; (23 September – UN Secretary-General is convening the Climate Action Summit to increase ambition and accelerate action by countries and other stakeholders, including the private sector.)

Sustainable Development Goals Summit; (24-25 September – The SDG Summit is the first UN Summit on the SDG Goals since the adoption of the landmark 2030 Agenda in 2015. Expected outcomes include a Political Declaration  as well as a series of SDG acceleration actions.)

High Level Meeting on Finance; (26 September – The outcome of this meeting is to mobilize action at all levels and generate high-impact initiatives for financing the 2030 Agenda.)

High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage; (23 September –  It will be the most significant political meeting held on universal health coverage to date and will result in a political declaration negotiated by Member States and endorsed by Heads of State and Government.)

High Level Meeting on the Samoa Pathway for Small Island Developing States (27 September – the High-Level Review will discuss measures to combat the devastating impacts of climate change, build resilience, and address other complex challenges faced by small island developing states.)

The International Maritime Organization, in line with the IMO Secretariat’s SDG Strategy and with the 2020 World Maritime Theme of “Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet” is ready to further raise awareness of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and to support Member States in their efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and make 2020-2030 a decade of action.