Nigeria International Maritime Summit

21 November 2022

Nigeria Maritime Summit "Igniting the Blue Economy"

Honourable Minister of Transportation, Nigeria, Honourable Members of Nigeria's National Assembly, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria, Chief Executives of Maritime Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Chair of Nigeria International Maritime Summit, Representatives of the Navy, Representatives of the Customs, Stakeholders in the Maritime Industry, The Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

It is a great pleasure to be here as it is my first time in Nigeria, with you in Lagos. I would like to extend my deep thanks to the Minister of Transport for the warm welcome and hospitality last night. I would like to express my appreciation to the Government of Nigeria for organizing this highly meaningful event to examine how we can ignite the blue economy.

I am aware of the significant relevance of Nigeria to the maritime industry in the West African sub-region and the strong maritime tradition that has seen a keen involvement in the work of IMO.

In recent times, here as everywhere, the COVID pandemic and current geopolitical challenges have served to enhance the awareness of the invaluable role and reliance on shipping ports, and seafarers in global trade.

Shipping's ability to transport large quantities of goods over vast distances in a cost-efficient manner unquestionably makes it the most effective mode of transport.

Underpinning this international trade by sea is a comprehensive regulatory framework developed by IMO over more than seven decades, to ensure the safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability of shipping.

IMO's 50 international conventions are universally adopted and implemented and cover all aspects of international shipping.

Our focus over the coming days is on the Blue Economy. This is essential - because the world needs a sustainable and efficient shipping industry to keep the wheels of global trade in constant motion in a safe, secure, and sustainable manner.

It is against this background that shipping is undergoing substantial change, taking on board new technologies and digitalization, tackling climate change and working to improve its diversity.

There can be no doubt that decarbonization is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

The importance to combat climate change was once again highlighted during my visit to the COP 27 United Nations Climate Conference in Egypt earlier this month, where we highlighted shipping's efforts in the global decarbonization journey.

IMO Member States are actively engaged in upgrading the Initial IMO Strategy adopted in 2018 on reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from ships and in developing a basket of candidate mid-term measures of technical and economic elements, including market-based measures, that will set global shipping on an ambitious path to phasing out GHG emissions as soon as possible.

The upgraded strategy will be agreed by July 2023.

As we continue to look at how to incentivize the availability and scalability of low- and zero-carbon marine fuels and technologies, IMO will continue to support developing countries with our capacity building as well as partnerships and projects aimed at supporting an inclusive transition.

Decarbonization gives us not only challenges but also opportunities in different ways.

Automation and digitalization are also critical to shipping's future. IMO seeks to embrace the benefits of new technologies in a considered way including addressing safety, cyber security risks, the impact on the environment and on personnel, both on board and ashore.

In this regard I am pleased that IMO and Nigeria have worked together to develop a Port Community System for electronic data exchange for its ports.

Across the region, it is encouraging to see the continued success of efforts to eradicate piracy and armed robbery against ships, in particular the significant fall in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea. But we must remain vigilant.

I am grateful to all coastal states in the region, in particular Nigeria, that have made positive strides to deliver this success and are clearly making progress in assuring the safety and security of navigation within the region.

Capacity building initiatives are key to our success. IMO remains committed to supporting the region in that regard including our support to Nigeria in the development of its National Maritime Security Strategy.

Coincidentally Mr. William Azuh is working as a key IMO staff to look at Technical Cooperation for Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen,

when it comes to maritime personnel, we must all work to ensure greater gender diversity in maritime.

Maritime transport and ocean-related industries offer abundant career opportunities, on ships and in the areas of science, policy, law, and the blue economy.

Yet women continue to be under-represented in all fields.

IMO's flagship Programme on Women in Maritime, which has been running for three decades covers all aspects of the maritime sector to support women with the necessary tools for successful careers.

Across the world, IMO has also facilitated the creation of professional networks for mentoring, training and other opportunities, with eight thriving Women in Maritime Associations (WIMAs), including three in Africa.

We are strengthening these efforts, with new approaches to raise the visibility of women already working in the sector while inspiring younger generations with role models and career paths.

One of our most recent efforts is the celebration of the first annual International Day for Women in Maritime on 18 May.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Decarbonization, digitalization, security, diversity - are all equally important in strengthening IMO's objectives of ensuring the safety of shipping, the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships supporting a Blue Economy.

This work requires great collaboration, communication and cooperation amongst States, the shipping industry and all stakeholders.

Together, we can work to ensure a sustainable maritime industry that will support the blue economy future.

I wish this Nigerian Maritime Summit great success.

Thank you.

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