IMO showcased its full range of technical cooperation projects at an informal workshop highlighting the support available to Member States. Delegates took the opportunity to learn how they can access this assistance.
IMO implements a portfolio of more than 20 ongoing and pipeline technical assistance projects and programmes worth over $100 million in total, with some specifically targeting Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
Projects are financed through IMO’s Technical Cooperation Fund or via bilateral partnerships with individual Member States or international institutions.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez welcomed Member State delegations to the event in London on 27 June, saying: “This is all about improving the way in which we deliver and provide technical cooperation, focusing a lot more on tangible results and better use of human and financial resources.”
Mr. Jose Matheickal, Director of IMO’s Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division, presented an overview of projects covering areas such as marine environment protection, decarbonization, trade facilitation, digitalization and maritime security.
Most are demand-driven and aim to boost countries’ maritime capabilities, whether by raising awareness about maritime obligations, developing skills among the workforce, strengthening legal, policy and institutional frameworks, or facilitating partnerships and knowledge for needed technology and infrastructure.
Benefits for Member States
Presentations showed how to access IMO technical assistance and training opportunities at the World Maritime University and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute.
Delegates then toured a vibrant exhibition and engaged with the IMO teams involved in coordinating the various IMO projects.
Ms. Dinah Katryona Inape, Manager of Maritime Standards and Compliance at the National Maritime Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea commented: “We were quite thrilled at this opportunity. We’ve read a lot about the various projects and programmes provided by IMO and facilitated by partners - this gave us an opportunity to speak directly with them.”
She highlighted her country’s interest in IMO’s work around women in maritime, digitalization and protecting the marine environment, particularly greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Mr. Ronald Alfred, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport of Trinidad and Tobago singled out the GloNoise project to mitigate underwater noise from shipping, which can negatively affect marine animals.
He said: “The Caribbean is an area where most of the economies are focused on tourism. The results of this project should assist us in preserving the marine environment, which in turn will assist us in our tourism industry… It directly impacts our economies.”
Women in maritime survey 2024
The Women in Maritime programme stand highlighted the forthcoming Women in Maritime Survey 2024. This survey by IMO and WISTA International will examine the proportion and distribution of women working in the maritime sector. It will open on 2 September and close on 31 December 2024.
Several Member States registered their focal points for the survey during the exhibition, needed to ensure the timely collection of data from the different entities/departments within their government. To date, 64 States have signed up to participate in the survey.
The informal workshop was held in the margins of the 74th session of the Technical Cooperation Committee (24-28 June).