Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR 10), 10-19 May 2023 (opening remarks)

On behalf of the Secretary-General, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you to the tenth session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue. This session marks an important moment for all of us, as it is the first time in two years for this Sub-Committee to meet in person, following the prolonged disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is a pleasure to see you all. 

Over the last years, significant results have been achieved, and your Sub-Committee has made great strides in promoting safety and security at sea. Although I will not go into the specifics of the achievements, I want to take this opportunity to express my admiration for the solid commitment, hard work, and dedication of all those involved in the work on navigation, radiocommunication and search and rescue and the many, many related subjects.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words about this year's World Maritime Day theme, which is "MARPOL at 50 - Our commitment goes on". The theme reflects the organization's long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework and emphasizes its ongoing commitment to this important work. It also spotlights the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MARPOL, which covers prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational and accidental causes. Let us use this opportunity to renew our commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the shipping industry and the protection of the marine environment, which is a critical issue that requires our continued attention for generations to come.   

I am pleased to announce that this session of the Sub-Committee coincides with the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime, which is celebrated on 18 May each year. This important event recognizes the significant contributions that women have made and continue to make to the maritime industry and emphasizes the importance of gender equality and diversity in the sector. The theme for this year is "Mobilizing networks for gender equality". You may also be interested to note that a Global Conference of the IMO Women in Maritime Associations, the so-called WIMAs, will take place on 18 and 19 May in this building. I encourage all of you to promote and celebrate the International Day for Women in Maritime in a meaningful manner at both personal and professional levels. 

Before turning to the important items on the agenda of this session, I would also like to remind you that the Council, at its 129th session in July of this year, will be considering nominations received for the 2023 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. For those of you who are not familiar with this prestigious annual Award: it was established by the Organization to provide international recognition to individuals who, sometimes at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of outstanding bravery while attempting to rescue persons in distress at sea or to prevent catastrophic pollution of the marine environment. 

Distinguished delegates, 

Once again, your Sub-Committee’s agenda is full of many important items, ranging from subjects on safety of navigation to matters related to search and rescue, from existing radiocommunications systems to new and emerging technologies. The work on all of these items pursues the common goal of making the sea a safer place. Now I would like to draw your attention to some of the key issues.  

One of the high-profile communication events of this year will be the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference scheduled to take place in December. This is an opportunity for IMO to express our views, interests and vision regarding maritime services. We must ensure that the radio spectrum assigned to maritime services is protected in order to support existing and future radiocommunication and radionavigation systems, which are essential for ensuring the safety of shipping and maintaining seafaring as a safe and secure profession. I trust that you will finalize the IMO position on relevant Conference agenda items concerning matters relating to Maritime Services, for approval by your parent Committee, the MSC, which will meet next month. 

The digital revolution has been rapidly transforming the maritime industry, and the digitization of shipping is crucial for improving safety and efficiency, optimizing performance, reducing environmental impact and ensuring the sustainability of shipping. In this regard, as part of the digital momentum, you will consider new technologies and systems, such as VHF Data Exchange and NAVDAT. You will also consider proposals concerning descriptions of Maritime Services in the context of e-navigation and amendments to ECDIS performance standards, all of which collectively are important steps towards the digital revolution in shipping. 

Your Sub-Committee has played a crucial role as the driving force behind the development, implementation and monitoring of GMDSS services, in particular the maritime safety information and search and rescue related information. Among various topics under this key subject, I have noted the significant progress made on revisions of the Interim Iridium SafetyCast service manual and the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information. I am looking forward to seeing the outcome of your efforts in this regard. 

Other agenda items 

Among the other important issues you will be dealing with during this session, I would like to highlight the following: 

• revision of resolution A.1001(25) concerning the criteria for the recognition of mobile satellite services for use in the GMDSS; 
• proposals related to pilot transfer arrangements; and 
• revision of model courses related to search and rescue. 

Finally, I would like to commend your Sub-Committee for the impressive progress made by means of the intersessional arrangements set up at the previous session. Contributions provided to this session by the ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue, the Joint IMO/ITU Experts Group on Maritime Radiocommunication Matters, and all correspondence groups will certainly be instrumental in addressing all those challenging issues within your agenda.  

Distinguished delegates, 

I am confident that the customary IMO spirit of cooperation will prevail during your deliberations and I hope that, under the able leadership of your Chair, Mr. Nigel Clifford of New Zealand, supported by your Vice-Chair, Mr. Alexander Schwarz of Germany, as well as the Secretariat, you will make sound, balanced and timely decisions on all matters under consideration. I extend my best wishes to all of you for every success in your deliberations. 

In concluding, I would like to cordially invite all of you, on behalf of the Secretary-General, to the customary cocktail reception in the Delegates' Lounge this evening, after the closure of today's session. 

Thank you.