World Maritime theme 2023
IMO World Maritime theme for 2023: “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on”
World Maritime Day 2023
The World Maritime Day 2023 took place on 28 September 2023. This year's World Maritime theme is "MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on".
Please find the photos of the World Maritime Day 2023 event here.
IMO-UNEP-Norway Innovation Forum 2023. The event took place on 28 September 2023 at IMO Headquarters, London, and online. The Forum included topics such as: Environmental performance; reducing plastic litter from ships; supporting innovation in marine fuel production; decarbonizing the maritime sector; unlocking green finance; and partnerships and collaboration. Read more details here. Watch a recording of the event on UNTV here.
Lighting up landmarks. IMO Headquarters was bathed in blue light in the evening of the day to promote this year's theme. IMO invited Member States, intergovernmental organizations in cooperation with IMO, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO to lighting up landmarks. Please find the photo gallery here. Read more details here.
Social media participation. IMO invited Members States and everyone in the maritime industry to celebrate the day by using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay and tagging IMO on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).
MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on
The International Maritime Organization's World Maritime Theme for 2023 is 'MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on'.
The theme reflects the organization's long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework and emphasizes its ongoing commitment to this important work. The theme 'MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on' spotlights the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which covers prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
'MARPOL at 50' Photography Exhibition
Delegates to the IMO Assembly are invited to view a photography exhibition displaying photos submitted by seafarers selected to mark the World Maritime Theme for 2023 at IMO Headquarters. View the photos online here.
IMO Secretary-General Message
How does IMO’s marine protection treaty make a difference?
IMO's marine protection treaty, the MARPOL Convention, is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships and currently includes six technical Annexes. Click on the images below to learn how the treaty makes a difference in marine protection.
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See all the visuals in the video below:
Background
'MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on' promotes discussions on the next phase of IMO's work to further protect the planet and the oceans, is also linked to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); climate action and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources (SDGs 13 and 14); and the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these goals (SDG 17).
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said, "A lot has changed in shipping in the 50 years since the MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973, and IMO's commitment to protecting and preserving the marine environment has remained unwavering. The World Maritime Theme for 2023 will allow us to celebrate this legacy, while also underscoring our dedication to building on the existing foundations as we move towards a brighter future together."
Please read more about MARPOL here.