IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has visited the Port of Felixstowe to record his annual message for the 2017 World Maritime Day, which is focusing on the theme of connecting ships, ports and people to highlight the importance of coherent and connected development across all maritime sectors.
The busiest container port in the United Kingdom features as the backdrop, emphasising the clear link between ships and ports and the people that operate them.
It has been revealed that Panama will host World Maritime Day event this year, running from the 1 to 3 October.
The aim of the 2017 theme is to build on the World Maritime Day theme for 2016, 'Shipping: indispensable to the world', by focussing on helping IMO Member States to develop and implement maritime strategies to invest in a joined-up, interagency approach that addresses the whole range of issues, including the facilitation of maritime transport, and increasing efficiency, navigational safety, protection of the marine environment, and maritime security.
IMO will be contributing to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are a broad response to the challenges facing the world today – increasing world population; climate change; threats to the environment; unsustainable exploitation of natural resources; threats to food security; societal threats posed by organised criminals and violent extremists; and instability leading to mixed migration.
More efficient shipping and working in partnership with a port sector supported by governments will be a major factor in securing global stability and sustainable development for the good of all people.
