Happy World Maritime Day!

Established in 2005 by a UN resolution on a recommendation from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Maritime Day is an annual celebration – usually during the last week of September – that aims to draw attention to the challenges and importance of maritime issues in the management of the global economy.

“At a time when the world is beset by conflict and crisis, it is easy to forget that, day in and day out, the international shipping industry works quietly and efficiently to keep the wheels of global trade in motion and ensure the timely delivery of the goods and commodities, said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “On World Maritime Day, let us recall the often unheralded but always vital contribution by international shipping to peoples and communities all over the world.”

The day is also used to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work, each year with a theme – this year, "IMO Conventions: Effective Application" – which is reflected in IMO’s work throughout the year.

According to the IMO, this year's theme was chosen to provide an opportunity to shine a spotlight on those IMO treaty instruments which have not yet entered into force, as well as those for which ratification by more States and more effective implementation would yield significant benefits.

To celebrate World Maritime Day 2014, a traditional diplomatic reception will be held at IMO Headquarters today, followed next month by the World Maritime Day Parallel Event consisting of lectures and workshops in Morocco from October 27-29.