Archive 2023
IMO and Central American Bank for Economic Integration sign MoU
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and Dr. Dante Mossi, Executive President of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on future cooperation in the maritime sector. The agreement, signed on 20 March, is intended to assist developing countries to strengthen their maritime port sectors and to facilitate the adoption of sustainable maritime transport systems and practices.
Iraq prepares for national maritime strategy
A five-day needs assessment mission to the cities of Baghdad and Basra has taken place (12-16 March) as part of preparations for the drafting of an overall national maritime strategy for Iraq. The visits were designed to support Iraq by identifying challenges facing the country’s maritime sector regarding the compliance, adoption and implementation of international conventions, agreements, instruments and codes.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
IMO has joined other UN agencies in marking the annual International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March). The theme of the Day in 2023 focuses on the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination. This year sees the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which enshrines a set of common values and acknowledges that rights are inherent to all human beings and are not granted by the State
100 audits completed under IMO Member State Audit Scheme
One hundred of IMO's 175 Member States and three associated Members have now been audited under IMO's Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). The milestone was reached in March 2023. The audits continue to be rolled out, with 23 audits scheduled to be completed during 2023 and 25 in 2024. The first audit cycle is set to be completed by 2025.
Antigua and Barbuda and the United Arab Emirates accept 2021 IMO Convention amendments
Antigua and Barbuda and the United Arab Emirates have become the latest IMO Member States to accept amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization, which will expand the size of the Council, extend the term of its Members, and recognize three additional language texts as authentic versions of the Convention.
Supporting sustainable blue economy development
IMO in partnership with MTCC Latin America co-hosted a side event during the Our Ocean Conference in Panama City (2 March). Its theme was "Supporting Blue Economies through Sustainable Maritime Transport (BE SMART): Building Global Partnerships to address Climate Change and Marine Pollution through IMO's Voyage Together Initiative".
Supporting developing countries in Africa on the London Protocol
Senior maritime and environmental officials from eight countries in Africa have met in Morocco to discuss the benefits of ratifying and implementing the London Protocol for the protection of the marine environment from pollution. The regional workshop, held in Casablanca (8-10 March), addressed the need to strengthen the capacity of North and West African Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries to enable implementation.
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Low and zero carbon potential pilot projects explored in Georgia
A national stakeholders roundtable to identify practical opportunities to reduce emissions from shipping through the establishment of pilot projects in Georgia has been held in Batumi (2 March). More than 20 stakeholders from public and private sectors joined the kick-off meeting, organized by the IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 project with the support of the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia.
Dual event promotes gender equality and greater Pacific safety
A two-pronged event to address the unique maritime challenges facing the Pacific region has taken place in Cairns, Australia. The Pacific Search and Rescue Workshop was held concurrently with the Pacific Women in Maritime Conference (27 February to 3 March). The dual event involved 85 delegates from Australia and Pacific nations