New technologies for greener shipping' is the World Maritime theme for 2022, reflecting the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future, while leaving no one behind.

The theme provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and the need to build back better and greener in a post pandemic world.

IMO actively supports a greener transition of the shipping sector into a sustainable future, and showcases maritime innovation, research and development, and the demonstration and deployment of new technologies.

New technologies for greener shipping'

The 2022 theme will allow for a range of activities to delve into specific topics related to promotion of inclusive innovation and uptake of new technologies to support the needs for a greener transition of the maritime sector, especially in the context of developing countries, and in particular the small island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs).

The theme is linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 13 and 14 on climate action and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources; SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 17, which highlights the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these goals.

IMO's Department of Partnerships and Projects (DPP) was established in 2020 to serve as the gateway for developing partnership opportunities with a wide range of external partners, including IMO Member States, UN agencies, financial institutions, NGOs, IGOs and the private sector.

World Maritime Day - 29 September 2022

World Maritime Day will be celebrated at IMO Headquarters on 29 September 2022. Details of event(s) on the day will be made available in due course.

Promoting the theme

Member Governments and observer international organizations are encouraged to organize, wherever possible, suitable events throughout the year and inform the Secretariat via media[@]imo.org as early as possible of any planned activities. Social media participation is also encouraged via Twitter, tagging @IMOHQ and using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeTheme through the year and #WorldMaritimeDay for the celebration of the actual Day. Photographs of events can be sent to: media[@]imo.org.

Parallel event 2022

The World Maritime Day Parallel Event (WMDPE) was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and is expected to be held in Durban, South Africa, from 12 to 14 October 2022.

The event will consist of a number of high-level panel discussions focused on IMO's 2022 theme: "New Technologies for Greener Shipping". As one of the most important maritime events on a global scale, the WMDPE will become a definitive stage for the international community to make concrete contribution and progress on collaboration geared at innovative solutions to address mitigation strategies to reduce the maritime transport carbon footprint. A separate high-level roundtable discussion, at ministerial level, will also take place, highlighting the above theme as well as other important issues, whose deliberations may be used as a platform to embrace new solutions and ideas within the world's maritime community.

Further information about the event will be available in due course.

SOURCE: https://www.imo.org/en/About/Events/Pages/World-Maritime-Theme-2022.aspx