During his visit to the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on February 3, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon commended the IMO for its contribution to the fight to combat climate change, including through the adoption of legally binding energy efficiency measures for ships.
Mr. Ban Ki-Moon met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and IMO’s Senior Management Committee. He also addressed representatives of IMO Member States and IMO staff during the high-profile visit.
The Secretary-General highlighted the major role that IMO and the maritime sector had to play in translating landmark agreements such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement on climate change into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
He stated that these are “victories for the world’s people, and triumphs for multilateralism”.
He also spoke of the need to translate these agreements into tangible improvements and highlighted the enthusiasm that he has seen from some Governments in starting to develop plans for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Three goals, Goal 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all; Goal 9 to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization; and Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and maritime resources for sustainable development, were emphasised as areas where the shipping industry needs to focus their efforts throughout 2016 and beyond.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the importance for Governments to work better together across their ministries and departments and for the UN itself to do the same, in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and undertake climate change action successfully.
Click here to read the UN Secretary General’s full speech.
