March 6, 2018 marked the 70 year anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marked the occasion at the IMO headquarters in London.
Accompanied by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut an anniversary cake. Her Majesty also met with guests attending the event, including representatives of IMO member states, international non-government organisations and IMO Secretariat staff.
Mr. Lim stated: “We are celebrating 70 years of achievement, in which the truly vital industry of shipping has become safer, cleaner and greener, thanks to the work of IMO.
We are also looking ahead to the exciting new challenges on the horizon.
Billions of ordinary people, all over the world, rely on shipping every day of their lives – even if they don't realise it or understand it.
It is our role to ensure shipping can continue to make this vital contribution to global well-being.”
Read the “Empty Container Examinations: Automated and Tiered Approaches” technical paper for more dicussion on the IMO's global work
The Convention on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was adopted on March 6th 1948 at the United Nations Maritime Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland.
The convention was enforced 10 years later, on March 17th 1568, when the 21st ratified the treaty.
The IMO’s first meeting was held at the Church House in London on January 6th 1959.
The IMO works to improve global maritime safety and security, the efficiency of navigation and the control of pollution from ships.
