The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established a new unit that will enhance and strengthen partnerships with external stakeholders and donor agencies to tackle some of the major global challenges faced by international shipping.
Operational from March 1, 2020, the Department for Partnerships and Projects within the IMO Secretariat is the resultant single umbrella following the merger of the existing Partnerships and Resource Mobilization team within IMO’s Technical Cooperation Division and the Major Projects team in the Marine Environment Division, designed to improve synergy and harmonization, said IMO in a statement.
The department becomes the focal point for developing partnerships and coordinating long-term donor-funded projects, as well as implementing IMO’s resource mobilization strategy to strengthen its integrated technical cooperation program.
“The new department reflects IMO’s strong and continuing commitment to helping its Member States achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and implement the Organization’s regulatory framework,” said IMO.
It will serve as a gateway for partnership opportunities with a wide range of external partners, including IMO member states, UN agencies, financial institutions, NGOs, IGOs and the private sector. A key objective will be to increase IMO’s existing portfolio of donor-supported long-term projects supporting its technical cooperation objectives.
The new department will help tackle key global challenges including energy efficiency, climate change, protecting biodiversity, preventing marine pollution, and maritime safety and security through innovative partnerships and long-term projects.
Decarbonization, marine plastic litter and biofouling are among the topic areas already being addressed by IMO’s major projects.
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said, “For the benefits of sustainable development to be evenly spread, all countries must be able to play a full and active part in maritime activities. Building partnerships is key to this. This new department will help that to happen. It’s very much in line with my vision of a ‘Voyage Together’, where no one is left behind when it comes to the effective implementation of IMO’s global standards.”
Photo courtesy of IMO
