IMO Secretary-General Urges Collective Action To Safeguard Ocean

Ahead of World Oceans Day (8 June), Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasizes the need for unified international efforts to protect the marine environment.

As the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, advocates for the power of multilateralism in preserving the ocean, calling on governments, industries, and civil society to reinforce their commitments to ocean conservation.

With World Oceans Day approaching and the UN Ocean Conference scheduled in Nice, France, Mr. Dominguez highlights the importance of global cooperation in securing a sustainable future for all. He states:

“We all have a responsibility to safeguard our precious marine environment and resources, on which we all depend. Governments, industries, civil society: this is our ocean, our obligation – and our opportunity. This World Ocean Day, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to intensify our work through the power of multilateral action. The ocean and the planet depend on it.”

Focus on Maritime Sector at UN Ocean Conference

To underscore the maritime industry’s role in ocean protection, Mr. Dominguez will lead a delegation to the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice. Engaging with world leaders, ocean experts, and stakeholders, he aims to mobilize joint efforts that leverage the shipping sector’s capabilities in supporting ocean conservation.

Shipping, responsible for over 80% of global trade and a significant contributor to the ocean economy, plays a crucial role in ocean sustainability. Through initiatives like the Global Industry Alliance (GIA), the IMO fosters public-private partnerships to drive climate and ocean conservation efforts.

Stepping Up Environmental Initiatives

Building on its legacy of setting international standards for marine protection, IMO is intensifying its efforts to address climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Key initiatives include:

• Acting on climate: Developing regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships
• Preventing marine pollution: Addressing sources of marine plastic litter
• Preserving biodiversity: Implementing measures to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species

IMO’s commitment to safeguarding the marine environment underscores the crucial role of collective action in ensuring a sustainable future for our oceans.

Press Release