The United Nations (UN)’s World Maritime Day (WMD) is annually observed on the last Thursday of September to recognize the contribution of the people who work in the maritime industry.
World Maritime Day 2022, the 45th World Maritime Day, falls on 29th September 2022.
- WMD 2021 was observed on 30th September 2021.
- WMD 2023 will be observed on 28th September 2023.
The theme for World Maritime Day 2022 is ‘New technologies for greener shipping‘.
- The theme aims to support a green transition of the maritime industry into a sustainable future.
- This theme provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and the need to build back better and greener in a post-pandemic world.
The World Maritime Day Parallel Event (WMDPE) will be held in Durban, South Africa, from 12th to 14th October 2022.
Note:
i. The day is annually observed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
ii. The work of IMO supports the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
Background:
i. The UN declared World Maritime Day in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
ii. The 1st ever World Maritime Day was observed on 17th March 1978 to mark the establishment of the 1st convention of IMO in 1958.
Significance:
i. According to UN data, International shipping transports around 80% of the global trade to people and communities all over the world. Shipping is the most efficient method of international transportation for most goods.
ii. International shipping provides a dependable, low-cost means to transport goods globally which facilitates commerce and helps to create prosperity among people and nations.
About International Maritime Organization (IMO):
Secretary-General- Kitack Lim
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom
Establishment- 1958
