Regional Conference: Seizing Opportunities for Green Shipping in the Asia and the Pacific
Regional Conference: Seizing Opportunities for Green Shipping in the Asia and the Pacific
Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Manila, Philippines
Opening Remarks by Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to be in Manila once again, and to see many representatives from the region here today.
I must express my utmost appreciation to our hosts the Government of the Philippines for their hospitality as well as for collaborating with the Government of Denmark and the IMO to host this important and timely regional conference discussing the opportunities for Green Shipping in the Asia-Pacific region.
Maritime transport continues to be the most economic and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation for large volumes of cargo.
As the global regulator for shipping, IMO continues to ensure that the maritime sector delivers cargo safely, securely and sustainably around the world, with continuous improvements in efficiency.
Our regulatory framework is constantly evolving to address new trends, developments and challenges facing the maritime community such as the imperatives to tackle climate change and to accommodate changing technology, including digitalization and automation.
This year we are also celebrating 50 years since the MARPOL convention was first adopted in 1973 to protect the marine environment from pollution from ships.
To reflect the importance of this milestone, our World Maritime theme for this year is "MARPOL at 50 – our commitment goes on".
MARPOL regulations have made a tremendous difference to how ships are built, designed and operated, and its rules have been adapted over the years to ensure the marine environment is protected, including from GHG emissions.
But we need to do more.
The global community is united in its drive to combat climate change.
The biggest challenge facing shipping is reducing its GHG emissions and it is vital that IMO showcases its global leadership in decarbonizing shipping.
We must lead the way and provide a global framework for the maritime industry to strive for green shipping and at the same time, we must ensure we leave no one behind.
At IMO, we are very much aware that decarbonization presents challenges for many developing countries. And we are committed to addressing the impact of any measures considered for adoption.
But we also see the many opportunities of unlocking the potential that green shipping presents.
I am confident that the countries in the Asia-Pacific region are in an excellent position to unlock this potential.
IMO Member States are currently actively engaged in the process of upgrading the IMO Decarbonization Strategy elevating its levels of ambition, and with that showcasing IMO's leadership role and true commitment towards decarbonization.
We will see the adoption of an upgraded Strategy in early July, so the next few weeks are crucial as IMO nears this important landmark.
I believe that IMO Member States must be ambitious and bold enough to elevate the levels of ambition to support the achievement of the goals set in the Paris Agreement, ensuring our contribution to a sustainable future.
The revised strategy, which contains a basket of technical and economic measures, will also provide the necessary certainty for all stakeholders to invest in future fuels and ship related technologies.
It will also be a catalyst to unlock new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in renewable fuel production, but also from retrofitting ships and digitalizing port operations.
IMO is working together with Member States to support them in implementing these measures, to ensure that no one is left behind in this transition towards a decarbonized future.
I see great opportunities for many countries to be part of the new green future that will see low and zero-carbon fuels being produced and supplied globally.
Here in the Philippines, and across the region, there is a strong willingness and commitment to work with all stakeholders to explore and make a push towards renewable energy, to ensure that maritime transport benefits from the relevant investment and technology transfer, and that the workforce of the future is equipped for this vital transition.
Knowledge sharing is also critical to the attainment of our common objectives.
We can all learn from each other. And IMO is ready to support this process.
The cooperation and dialogue that is the trademark of IMO will be more important than ever.
Now is the time to act.
Major changes and challenges lie ahead for the maritime sector.
These will have a considerable impact on the maritime workforce, in particular seafarers. It is imperative that education, training and skills evolve, and IMO continues to engage with Member States and industry towards that end.
But the transition can also enable the shipping sector to reconnect with and attract the next generation of maritime personnel and seafarers in all regions of the world, many of whose careers will feature the renewable energy generation and energy efficiency technology that will be vital for shipping's future.
We must rise to this challenge and create a workforce to operate the green and digital ships of the future safely and securely.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This Conference is an important contribution to bringing the maritime community together to discuss and provide invaluable contributions to shipping's decarbonization journey.
I trust that I can count on the help of the delegations present here to support IMO to attain our common goal towards sustainable shipping.
Shipping has undergone many successful transitions over the centuries and has voyaged through unchartered waters.
So, I am convinced that through cooperation, collaboration, and solidarity, we will achieve an energy transition that is just and equitable.
I remain confident about the success of future shipping as it continues to evolve.
I am very much encouraged by shipping's motivation to contribute to the fight against climate change by seizing the opportunities of green shipping.
I wish you a successful Conference.
Thank you.