IMO Assembly Adopts Vision and Strategic Directions

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly adopted strategic directions and vision for 2018-2023 at its 30th session in London, United Kingdom.

The IMO Assembly’s strategic plan includes a revised mission statement, a vision statement, which is included for the first time, and seven newly-identified strategic directions for IMO, placing the Organization firmly on route to supporting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The strategic directions include improving implementation, integrating new and advancing technologies in the regulatory framework, responding to climate change, engaging in ocean governance, enhancing global facilitation and security of international trade, ensuring regulatory effectiveness and ensuring organizational effectiveness.

“IMO will uphold its leadership role as the global regulator of shipping, promote greater recognition of the sector’s importance and enable the advancement of shipping, whilst addressing the challenges of continued developments in technology and world trade; and the need to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the organization said.

“To achieve this, IMO will focus on review, development and implementation of and compliance with IMO instruments in its pursuit to proactively identify, analyse and address emerging issues and support Member States in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The Assembly adopted three resolutions which focus on IMO’s capacity-building work to support the implementation of the SDGs. The first covers the linkages between IMO’s technical assistance work and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the second outlines guiding principles of IMO’s integrated technical cooperation programme in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, while the third covers financing and partnership arrangements for an effective and sustainable integrated technical cooperation programme.

The Assembly, held from November 27 to October 6, was attended by some 1,400 participants, including 56 at the ministerial level, from 165 Member States, as well as observers from inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations.