International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21 March 2023
Message from Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO

Today, 21 March, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) aligns its voice with that of the United Nations family and the entire world in the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The urgency of combating racism and racial discrimination is the focus of this year’s theme, in the year which will mark 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (on 10 December 1948).

To mark this day at IMO Headquarters, a leading voice in anti-racism will be the guest speaker at an event for staff and delegates. Dr. Yewande Austin, United Nations antiracism expert and honorary United States Cultural Ambassador will speak on "Antiracist Leadership". The session will provide an opportunity to learn how to eliminate racial and ethnic discrimination in the organizations that we lead and serve; explore antiracist leadership strategies and change management practices that promote racial equity for all.

Within the IMO Secretariat, the Racial Equality and Equity Cross-Divisional Working Group was established in 2020. The excellent work carried out by the Group culminated in the adoption, in 2021, of the IMO Secretariat's Racial Equality and Equity Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2030.

We have had the opportunity to hear from experts in this field, in 2021 and from Dr. Austin today. Engagements with experts serve as part of our actions towards the commitments we made in our strategy with respect to creating awareness and learning on this important topic.

Within the coming year, the Secretariat will take incremental steps towards implementation of other commitments espoused in the Action Plan.

Within the IMO family, we must all stand up for a diverse, tolerant and respectful work environment, where each of us can enjoy equality and equity. We all have the power to advocate for anti-racism.

Let’s #FightRacism and empower everyone to build societies that are free from discrimination.