The United Nations(UN)’s World Maritime Day (WMD) is annually observed across the globe during the last Thursday of September to recognise the contribution of the international maritime industry towards the world’s economy and sustainable development.
World Maritime Day 2021, the 44th World Maritime Day, falls on 30th September 2021.
- WMD 2020 was observed on 24th September 2020.
- WMD 2022 will be observed on 29th September 2022.
The theme of World Maritime Day 2021 is “Seafarers at the core of shipping’s future”.
The 2021 theme aims to create awareness about the role of seafarers in world trade.
Note:
The individual governments decide on the date of the observance of WMD, but it is usually observed on the last Thursday of September.
The day is annually observed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the specialized agency of the UN with the responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
WMD 2021 in India:
‘World Maritime Day 2021’ was observed across India on 28th September 2021 under the theme “Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future”.
The observance recognised the importance of IMO for the maritime sector and its contribution towards Maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Marine Environment.
Background:
i.The United Nations created World Maritime Day in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
ii.The first ever World Maritime Day was observed on 17th March 1978 to mark the enforcement of the first convention of IMO in 1958 and ever since, the World Maritime Day is observed during the last week of September.
Significance of Shipping:
i.International shipping transports around 80% of the global trade to people and communities across the globe.
ii.International shipping provides a dependable, low-cost means to transport goods across the globe.
About International Maritime Organization(IMO):
Secretary-General– Kitack Lim (Republic of Korea)
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom
