“Therefore, shipping and maritime will be at the heart of the economic recovery and future sustainable growth far into the future, both at sea and ashore, supporting an inclusive and resilient economy to underpin the achievement of the sustainable development goals. ‘Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet’, our theme for 2020 couldn’t be more relevant now and for years to come,” Secretary-General Lim said.

“In the post-COVID world, much focus will be directed at the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. These goals are as relevant as ever, and shipping is essential for sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda will only be realized with a sustainable transport sector supporting world trade and facilitating the global economy,” Secretary-General Lim added.

The role of sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet will be highlighted during an IMO-hosted online event on 24 September.

At a separate event held on the margins of the UN General Assembly on World Maritime Day, Mr. Lim will highlight the important role of shipping and put a spotlight on the humanitarian crisis faced by seafarers who are stranded at sea due to travel restrictions imposed by governments to contain the spread of the virus. Mr. Lim will warn that seafarers should not be the collateral victims in this pandemic. He will underline that Governments must act in a coordinated manner to recognize seafarers as key workers, exempting them from travel restrictions, and implement the recommended framework of protocols for safe crew changes”

UN Secretary-General message on World Maritime Day

In a message issued on World Maritime Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that “the theme of this year’s World Maritime Day – ‘Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet’ – has gained extraordinary resonance as shipping has continued to transport more than 80 per cent of world trade, including vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery.”

Mr. Guterres reiterates his concern for seafarers stranded at sea and renews his appeal to Governments “to address their plight by formally designating seafarers and other marine personnel as “key workers”, ensuring safe crew changes and implementing the protocols developed by UN agencies, as well as the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, allowing stranded seafarers to be repatriated and others to join ships.”

World Maritime Day IMO event (24 September)

An online event on the morning of World Maritime Day, hosted by IMO, (10:30 a.m. London time) will bring together a high-level panel of speakers to debate “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet”.

Click here for flyer. http://www.imo.org/en/About/Events/WorldMaritimeDay/Pages/World-Maritime-Theme-2020.aspx

Watch the online event here: https://bit.ly/33OTO4H

UN General Assembly – World Maritime Day event on the margins of the UNGA  

A separate event (2.30 p.m. London time) will be hosted by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), IMO and the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation. They are bringing together the heads of UN agencies, governments, multinational corporations, and shipowner and seafarer representatives, to discuss the humanitarian, economic and safety crisis in the world’s shipping industry. COVID-19 restrictions on travel and transit have led to 800,000 seafarers either stranded on vessels or prevented from returning to ships. This event aims to raise awareness of the important and unsung role of seafarers in supporting sustainable shipping.

Register here for the event.  Click here for the full programme.

Downloads

Click http://www.imo.org/en/About/Events/WorldMaritimeDay/Pages/World-Maritime-Theme-2020.aspx  to read more about World Maritime Day 2020 and find the message from the Secretary-General, video of the message and more.