The International Maritime Organization designated the last Thursday of September as World Maritime Day by the Resolution IMCO/C XXXVIII/21. Every year IMO celebrates World Maritime Day, which is used to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work. Each year has a World Maritime theme, which is reflected in IMO’s work throughout the year in question, and its own logo. World Maritime Day itself is celebrated in the last week of September each year, although the exact date is up to individual governments around the world. IMO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. Therefore, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance.

FORUM: World Maritime Theme 2020; '' Sustainable shipping for a Sustainable Planet.''

This year’s World Maritime Day will be celebrated on 24 September 2020 in the form of an online event, due to social distancing measures caused by the pandemic. A global audience heard how innovation, the maritime workforce and the role of industry and governments can work to realise shipping's sustainable future. The webinar brought together speakers from government, international organizations and innovative enterprise. They raised issues and highlighted solutions facing shipping, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. One overarching theme was that the pandemic could and should be the catalyst for positive change, with international and cross-sector cooperation being the key. In his opening remarks, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim set the tone by praising the unprecedented level of cooperation between all those involved in the maritime sector in response to the pandemic. He said, "never has the spirit of cooperation been more important than now. I can assure you that IMO, as the global regulator of international shipping, is ready to establish new partnerships for cooperation and sustainable economic recovery, and to help drive the SDGs, for the benefit of all humankind." H.E. Mr. Robert Courts, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security, Department for Transport, United Kingdom, emphasised the need to protect our marine environment, saying that "today's summit is testimony to our international efforts. It is right that as we build our way out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we double down on protecting our environment to deliver a greener future". IMarEST's Mr. Alastair Fischbacher said " the pandemic had not changed our shared sustainable shipping target, but raised the issue that "in a competitive world, it is easier to follow than to lead – easier to let others take risks". The solution, he said, was coordinated, international cooperation.

Message by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim on World Maritime Day 2020, September 24th.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us, with unprecedented impacts on our lives, our economies and our societies. At IMO we have observed and attempted to address the impacts on the shipping industry and especially seafarers. In these challenging times, the ability of shipping services and seafarers to deliver essential goods, including medical supplies, food and fuel is central to responding to, and overcoming this crisis. The pandemic has shown that shipping, the most reliable, efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation that carries more than 80% of global trade, remains the leading facilitator of the global economy. Therefore, shipping and maritime will be at the heart of the economic recovery and future sustainable growth far into the future, both at sea and ashore, supporting an inclusive and resilient economy to underpin the achievement of the sustainable development goals. “Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet”, our theme for 2020 couldn’t be more relevant now and for years to come. In the post-COVID world, much focus will be directed at the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. These goals are as relevant as ever, and shipping is essential for sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda will only be realized with a sustainable transport sector supporting world trade and facilitating the global economy. But shipping also needs to secure its own sustainability. Shipping activities must be balanced with Safety of Life at Sea and the long-term health and diversity of the oceans. A 2 major part of IMO's role is to ensure that shipping continues to make its contribution to the global economy without upsetting nature’s delicate balance. Supported by IMO’s regulatory framework, shipping is engaged on a journey of transformation towards this sustainable future. IMO’s actions are: • enhance maritime safety and digital shipping; • ensure and enhance the professionalism, competence and workplace environment of the world’s seafarers; • decarbonization of international shipping and reduction of sulphur in ships’ fuel oil; • protect the polar regions and reduce marine litter; • facilitation of maritime traffic in collaboration with port industry; • technical cooperation and capacity building of developing countries; • enhance gender equality in the maritime community and; • maintain a robust response system to meet threats to safety and security at sea, and protect the marine environment All form the foundation for shipping’s part in securing a sustainable future for all of us. We must now look to see what more should be done to achieve these goals. At the start of 2020, alongside our UN sister entities, we marked the beginning of a decade of action and delivery for the SDGs. In choosing “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet” as this year’s World Maritime Theme, we focus global attention on how IMO, the Organization’s Member States, civil society and the shipping industry are working together to ensure that shipping continues and strengthens its contribution towards sustainable growth. As the global pandemic has turned all our lives upside down, I have been encouraged by the unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration in the maritime world. I have spoken many times of our "voyage together", encompassing Member States, NGOS and multiple maritime stakeholders. Though this year, the spirit of those words has been more important than ever. We need to capitalize on this willingness to work together as we move forward, supporting shipping, seafarers and the maritime sector to fulfil their responsibilities. Thank you.

Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary-General.