THE International Maritime Organization plans to promote sustainable maritime transport through capacity building activities in the Asia Pacific region under a new partnership agreement.

The IMO’s partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) also covers knowledge partnership activities in the region.

A memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday by IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim and ESCAP executive secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

“This strategic partnership, combining IMO’s global mandate and outreach and ESCAP’s experience and expertise in supporting its regional partners, is expected to contribute a great deal to sustainable maritime transport,” said Mr Lim said.

The parties intend to work together to support knowledge sharing, intergovernmental co-operation, capacity building, joint resource mobilisation and strengthening UN initiatives and program.

ESCAP and IMO also plan to promote activities relating to marine environment protection and climate change, maritime transport facilitation in support of global and regional trade flows and maritime safety.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, during the IMO/ESCAP Thematic Solution Forum (TSF) at the Global South-South Development Expo 2022.

The GSSD Expo is an annual event organised by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation to showcase evidence-based successful development solutions and initiatives, in collaboration with United Nations agencies and all other partners.

Source: https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/environment/imo-partnership-promotes-sustainable-maritime-transport-in-pacific/