The 2019 academic year marks the 30th anniversary of the Malta-based IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI). A special event (pictured, top) to celebrate the occasion was held at IMO Headquarters (25 June). Malta's Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat (bottom left), spoke of his country's continuing commitment to hosting such an important global institution, while IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim highlighted IMLI's firm commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. See photos here.
IMLI's overall mission is to help build the legal capacity among IMO member states, particularly developing states, to fulfil their obligations under IMO treaties. It provides training in all aspects of international maritime law, as well as in legislative drafting techniques.
Its academic programmes include a Master of Laws in International Maritime Law, a Master of Humanities in International Maritime Legislation, a Master of Philosophy in International Maritime Law and Ocean Policy, and a cooperative Master of Laws in International Maritime Law and Immigration Law with Queen Mary University of London. Since the academic year 2018-2019 was completed, more than 1000 students from 146 States and territories have pursued studies at IMLI.
IMLI is firmly committed to gender equality and to empowering females to become part of the maritime industries. One notable claim to fame is that IMLI has an official policy of reserving 50 per cent of its student places for female candidates. In recent years, the female student population has actually outnumbered the male students.
Speaking at the celebratory ceremony Secretary-General Lim expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Malta, the many donors and other institutions, both public and private, without whose support IMLI's success would not have been possible. At the end of the ceremony, IMLI director Professor David Attard, received a letter of appreciation and commemorative award, to mark his many years of outstanding service.