International Maritime Organization (IMO)

1. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, has the governing body of your organization taken (or will it take) any decisions or new strategies to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If any, please provide a brief summary below, including the overarching vision of your organization.

 

Yes

C 122/3(a)/1 of the IMO Secretariat to identify, analyze and address emerging issues and opportunities to further support Member States in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the IMO SDGs Strategy)

Some key points of the IMO SDGs Strategy:

As a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for global standards for safe, secure, clean and efficient maritime transport, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has an important role to play in helping Member States to achieve the 2030 Agenda. 

IMO is actively working towards the 2030 Agenda and is contributing to the implementation of the SDGs both through providing the legislative framework for international shipping that enables sustainable development and through specific capacity building activities.

While IMO supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda as a whole, the areas identified by the IMO SDGs Strategy as of most impact of its work are SDG 14 (life below water), SDG13 (climate change), SDG9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG5 (gender equality), next to the over-arching SDG17 (partnerships and resource mobilization).

 

2.1 SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes

 

Yes

In June 2015, at the 65th session of the Technical Cooperation Committee (TCC), the Secretariat provided an update on the 2030 Agenda. It recalled the development of the SMTS and noted that the Organization would need to align its work in general, and that of the technical cooperation work of the IMO, to the 2030 Agenda.

Beyond the work of technical cooperation, SDGs got also integrated into the overall work of IMO in 2017. The vision statement embedded in the Organization’s Strategic Plan (2018-2023) makes direct reference to the need for IMO to meet the 2030 Agenda, as well as to support Member States in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In recognition of this objective, the Secretary-General organized an SDGs workshop for delegates and Secretariat staff in January 2019, providing a platform to exchange views and experiences on how the IMO Secretariat could further support Member States in their efforts to implement the SDGs.

One of the recommendations resulting from this workshop was to encourage the Secretariat to develop an IMO SDGs Strategy in order to further enhance the SDGs’ integration into its programming and planning, to establish a more tangible and targeted approach to support Member States in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to strengthen IMO’s visibility as a key contributor to sustainable development.

To develop such a Strategy, the Secretary-General established an internal cross-divisional IMO SDG Working Group to identify, analyze and address emerging issues and opportunities to further support Member States in their implementation the 2030 Agenda.

The cross-divisional SDG Working Group developed a draft strategy showcasing effective ways for the Secretariat to provide Member States with strengthened and more targeted SDG support and to enhance the communication of the Organization’s and the shipping industry’s contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The Council, at its 122nd session, expressed its appreciation to the Secretariat for developing this IMO SDGs Strategy and requested the Secretary-General to report on the progress on the implementation of the IMO SDGs Strategy at an upcoming session of the Council.

Specific actions foreseen to be undertaken by the IMO Secretariat in line with the IMO SDGs Strategy in upcoming years, to support Member States more in the 2030 Agenda implementation are as follows:

1. next Strategic Plan and Business Plan to include linkage of planning and budgeting to the SDGs for performance measurement
2. Member States to feature maritime policies and data in their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) by:

• developing IMO (maritime) specific SDG indicators, baselines and targets, in relation to selected SDGs (SDGs 5, 9, 13 and 14 ); and
• assisting reporting on the SDGs implementation by embedding them in the Country Maritime Profiles

3. link Technical Cooperation activities and future projects with the SDGs;

4. include gender (SDG5) markers in all future projects and TC activities;

5. utilize outputs of relevant IMO projects, such as MTCCs to assist Member States in the implementation of the SDGs (with focus on SDGs 5, 9, 13 and 14);

6. strengthen/develop new partnerships in areas for the implementation of the SDGs;

7. work closely with the custodian agency (UNEP) in relation to developing SDG14.1.1 target specifics (for which IMO is a Partner Agency);

8. support Member States’ maritime authorities to be more closely linked to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

 

3.1 Mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies or through national sustainable development plans/strategies:

 

Yes

The IMO Secretariat organized a specific Workshop in January 2019 on the initiative of the Secretary General, both for Member States and for IMO Staff, to strengthen knowledge on SDGs and on linkages of the work of IMO and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The outcomes of this Workshop were instrumental for the development of the IMO SDGs Strategy.

IMO also provides specific, maritime sector specific assistance to IMO Member States, in line with their national needs.

The Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), a framework of regional and global programmes, helps developing countries implement international maritime rules and standards. In line with Member States’ needs, the ITCP covers a variety of issues, including maritime safety, security, facilitation, legislation, marine environment protection, Member State audits and maritime education and training.

SDGs of particular relevance to the ITCP have been identified and as much as possible, all ITCP activities are linked to relevant SDGs, line with IMO Assembly Resolution A 30/Res.1126 and TC 68/5 on linkages between the technical assistance work of IMO and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In 2018, 196 activities were delivered, including 13 advisory and needs assessment missions, and 123 training courses, seminars and workshops at national, regional and global levels covering an extensive range of topics.

 

4.1 Supporting the intergovernmental body of your organization in contributing to the thematic review of the HLPF:

 

Yes

IMO is regularly participating in the HLPF and provides input, into policy/background briefs prepared, when relevant.

In line with the IMO SDGs Strategy, IMO is planning to develop maritime specific indicator fact sheets, supporting Member States undertaking VNRs, to include sustainable maritime policies in these.

 

5. How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations to achieve coherence and synergies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? In this regard, has your organization launched or intend to launch any joint programmes or projects in collaboration with other UN entities? Are there any results or lessons you would like to highlight that might help improve the design and impact of such efforts? Has your organization participated in any of the following coordination systemwide mechanisms or any other relevant platform - CEB, UNDG, EC-ESA Plus, RCMs, UN-Energy, UN-Water, UN-Ocean, IAEG, IATT?  Please specify which and indicate any suggestions you may have about improving collaborations within and across these mechanisms/platforms:

IMO is actively participating in CEB and in in various other inter-agency groups, relevant to its mandate.

 

6. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups, both in supporting implementation at the country, regional and global levels, and within your own organization? If yes, please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned:

 

IMO has been highly successful in developing partnerships with governments, international organizations, regional institutions and industry for delivering technical cooperation activities and undertaking capacity-building.

IMO currently has partnership arrangements with around 65 IGOs and 75 NGOs. These partnerships provide valuable support for the delivery of capacity-building activities. They have also promoted the effectiveness of technical cooperation by increasing general awareness of IMO's mandate.

IMO has also taken an active role in ocean governance and formed strong partnerships with other UN organizations and international bodies to protect the health of the oceans and move towards a sustainable blue economy.

IMO partnership arrangements are being strengthened as the 2030 Agenda is implemented with a focus on the specific implementation needs of IMO Member States.

The IMO SDGs Strategy specifically calls for strengthening or developing new partnerships in the areas for the implementation of the SDGs (including strengthening partnerships with other UN bodies, industry, NGOs and ports, with focus on SDGs 5, 9, 13 and 14). The SDGs Strategy also call on IMO to continue working closely, as a partner agency, with the custodian agency (UNEP) when it comes to SDG14.1.1. which measures floating plastic litter as a global indicator of marine pollution.

Cooperation with Ports

Partnership with ports is of special importance for IMO when it comes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. An effective ship-port interface is crucial to the building of resilient infrastructure – which is core to SDG9.

Cooperation and partnership building with ports is also highly relevant to SDG 13. Ships currently us around 15% of their total fuel per voyage whilst in port or in a harbor. Port emissions toolkits have been developed with the support of the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project.

Ports can provide vital infrastructure to supply alternative fuels to power shipping to meet the IMO ambitious GHG emissions targets.

IMO has invited Member States to encourage voluntary cooperation between the port and shipping sectors to contribute to reducing GHG emissions from ships. This could include regulatory, technical, operational and economic actions, such as the provision of: onshore power supply (preferably from renewable sources); safe and efficient bunkering of alternative low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels; incentives promoting sustainable low-carbon and zero-carbon shipping; and support for the optimization of port calls including facilitation of just-in-time arrival of ships.

 

7. Has your organization organized any conferences, forums or events designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning? If yes, please provide a brief summary below and include lessons learned and gaps identified based on the outcomes of these events. Please also include any events you plan to organize in the coming years.

 

Yes

IMO is continuously organizing conferences, events, symposiums, in areas of mandate of IMO (safe, secure, efficient shipping on clean oceans).

Sustainability of shipping, SDGs will be in focus during 2020, as “Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet" has been selected as the World Maritime theme for 2020.

This will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and showcase the work that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States are undertaking to achieve the targets.

Some key conferences, workshops, events of 2019, which were (co-)organized by IMO, beyond its regular meeting schedule:

IMO SDGs Workshop, London, UK, IMO HQs, January 2019;

Supporting gender equality, empowering women - World Maritime Day Celebrations, London, UK, IMO HQs, September 2019;

Symposium on IMO 2020 and alternative fuels, London, UK, IMO HQs, October 2019

IMO Ministerial Conference - Safe fishing, Legal fishing, Torremolinos, Spain, October 2019

 

8. Is there any other information you would like to share, including annual reports of your organization and any impact assessment or evaluation reports? If yes, please use the space below and attach the document(s). Please also use this space to provide any other information, comments or remarks you deem necessary:

 

IMO and the Sustainable Development Goals

 

9. In your view, what should a strategic plan for the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs look like? What key elements should it include and major challenges address in such a road map?

A more detailed survey could be conducted between UN Agencies, after which an analysis could be undertaken on areas where more cooperation, coordination could/should be envisioned. Specific task forces could be set-up following this analysis, addressing common challenges, with annual work plans to be developed, with aim of making 2020-2030 a decade of action for UN Agencies as well.

 

10. Please indicate one or two endeavor or initiatives you suggest that the UN system organizations could undertake together to support the implementation of the SDGs between now and 2030:

Please see the answer to question 9.

 

11. Has your organization established any multi-stakeholder partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If yes, please describe how their performances are being monitored and reviewed? Where do these partnerships get funding and other resources, including human resources?

 

IMO has a wide variety of projects and technical cooperation activities, which are all linked to specific SDGs they support, as appropriate.

This includes the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), which is self-funded by IMO, as well as various donor supported major projects, with key donors including for projects GEF (in partnership with UNDP), Norway and the European Union.

The IMO SDGs Strategy calls for further cooperation and partnership building, specifically for 2030 Agenda implementation (including strengthening partnerships with other UN organizations, industry, NGOs and ports, with a focus on the selected SDGs).

Partnerships with ports is a specific area, where partnership building is crucial (for more on this, please also see under point 6 of this questionnaire).