International Maritime Organisation days of observance - Papua New Guinea National Maritime Safety Authority

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of 174 countries that are members to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As a United Nations (UN) agency specialized in maritime safety and maritime affairs, the IMO’s primary focus is in facilitating consultations with member states to deliver a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping, which looks to addressing key areas specific to safety, maritime environment protection, legal matters, technical cooperation and efficiency of shipping.

Additionally, as a UN Agency, the IMO has adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and is obliged to address these through its key activities in order to encourage a sustainable maritime transport sector that is, not only focused on enabling international trade and economic growth, but compelled to meet targets relating to 17 SDG’s for a sustainable earth.

The National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA), as the maritime administration, mandated by the PNG Government through the NMSA Act 2003 to regulate maritime safety, ensure maritime environment protection and coordinate an effective and efficient search and rescue regime, is required to also, focus its efforts towards addressing and achieving targets of the SDGs.

To highlight important maritime events that will be commemorated in 2020 to recognize the global efforts being made to address critical issues relating to sustainability and capacity development in the maritime transport sector.

Annually, the IMO and its member states commemorate and recognize the work that is being undertaken globally in the maritime and shipping sector. This is done through observance of this day earmarked annually to give prominence to the on to the ongoing efforts, challenges and significant accomplishments of the IMO programs.

Day of the Seafarers

Commemorated on the 25 June annually, the 2020 theme on “Our Seafaring Future” is focused on seafarer education and professions and building linkages towards a vision that is centred towards achieving the SDG’s relating to:

• SDG 14 Life below water (plastic waste)
• SDG 13 Climate Action
• SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production (plastic waste)
• SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth (occupational health and safety)
• SDG 5 Gender equality
• SDG 3 Good health and well-being (seafarer well-being)

This year’s Day of the Seafarer is aimed at providing a forum for constructive and positive conversations between the seafaring community and maritime administrations on how collaborations can work to address the SDGs.