IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has highlighted the important link between safe ship navigation and sustainability. Speaking at the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Conference in Incheon, Republic of Korea (27 May), Mr. Lim addressed the theme: 'Successful voyages, Sustainable planet – A New Era for Marine Aids to Navigation in a Connected World'.
He emphasized that safe shipping is essential to the world – that by providing improved access to basic materials, goods and products, by facilitating commerce and by helping create prosperity among nations and peoples, shipping is helping lift millions of people out of poverty. Investment and development in transport infrastructure - including includes aids to navigation - are therefore crucial to achieving sustainable development and empowering communities.
Aids to navigation play a key part in preventing ships' navigation accidents, in particular in coastal areas. Mr. Lim addressed the rapid technological development in this field and the important work being done by IMO, supported by organizations such as IALA, to cater for this evolution in shipping.