International Maritime Organization (IMO)
1. In the past year, has the governing body of your organization taken any decisions to advance sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ensure that no one is left behind? If yes, please briefly mention these decisions taken by your governing body in 2024 and provide the respective symbols.
During its 132nd session in July 2024, the IMO Council endorsed the holding of the seventeenth meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships in September 2024. This Intersessional Working Group will discuss proposals on candidate mid-term GHG reduction measures; further revision of the Guidelines on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (LCA Guidelines); and a proposed Fifth IMO GHG Study.
However, although it was not mentioned explicitly in the document, in the field of advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ensure that no one is left behind, IMO is also leading four Working Groups in the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP).
GESAMP is a group of experts that since 1969 has advised the United Nations system on scientific aspects of marine environmental protection. GESAMP is presently sponsored by ten UN agencies with interests and responsibilities in marine environmental matters: IMO, FAO, UNESCO-IOC, WMO, IAEA, UN, UN Environment, UNIDO, UNDP and ISA. This joint advisory mechanism is needed first to provide a cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary, and science-based approach to international policy development in marine environmental affairs, and second to meet the practical requirement for coordination and cooperation among UN agencies. IMO has been appointed to represent GESAMP (Administrative Secretary) and to host the GESAMP Office for this coordination task.
In addition, the 82nd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) held 30 September to 4 October 2024, produced a draft legal text to use as a basis for ongoing talks around the proposed “mid-term measures” for GHG reduction, which are expected to be adopted in 2025. These proposed “mid-term GHG reduction measures” (which build on previously adopted “short-term measures”) include a goal-based marine fuel standard that will phase in the mandatory use of fuels with less GHG intensity and a global maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism. They are aimed at driving the international shipping industry’s transition to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by or around, i.e. close to, 2050.
Additional outcome of MEPC 82 can be found in the following link:
https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/MEPC-82nd-ses…
2. During 2024, what actions have your entities taken to improve coordination among UN system entities across policy and normative activities as well as with ECOSOC subsidiary bodies with a view to increase impact and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda? Please provide any relevant links.
In 2024, IMO cooperates with several United Nations (UN) agencies, including:
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
IMO and UNEP work together on the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC). They also collaborate on the Nairobi Convention and its Emergency Protocol, and on training and contingency planning for the Eastern African region.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
IMO, UNDP, and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) partner on the GloFouling Partnerships, a global initiative to address invasive aquatic species. In November 2024, the 3rd GloFouling R&D Forum and Exhibition on Biofouling Management, jointly organized by the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships project and the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO), was be held in Busan, Republic of Korea.
UNFCCC
IMO reports to the UNFCCC's Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) on its progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.
The IMO submitted its customary SBSTA document to COP 29 and additionally provided an oral statement.
The IMO reports on progress achieved and solely invites the SBSTA to note the outcomes. There is no requirement to report on side events organized with UN sister organizations.
UN Security Council
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
IMO and UNODC partner on two EU-funded programmes aimed at strengthening maritime security in the Red Sea area and in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean with the following details:
Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area
- Quarterly coordination meetings between IMO, UNODC, INTERPOL, and the EU Delegation to Somalia;
- IMO contributed to the Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Forum organised by UNODC with the Red Sea project participating countries in attendance, held in Mombasa, Kenya, 4-6 November 2024; and
- Joint delivery of the 2nd steering committee meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 4 June 2024.
Port Security and Safety of Navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean
- Joint Training Activity by UNODC/IMO/INTERPOL held in Mombasa, Kenya from 16-18 April 2024.
United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED)
IMO partnered with UN CTED on assessment visits globally to enhance maritime security and contribute to the growth of the blue economy.In 2024, IMO participated (in-person) in the following UN CTED visits (each of which consisted of multiple meetings as well as assessment site visits to maritime port facilities) in 2024:
Montenegro 18-24 March;
Tanzania 19-23 August;
Mauritania 15-17 October;
Ghana 4-8 November; and
Cote D’Ivoire 11-13 November.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
IMO cooperated closely with ICAO on new and emerging threats and capacity development to enhance the security of the transport sector, as well as on the development of alternative fuels for international transport. During COP29 in November, IMO, ICAO and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) held a side event at COP 29: Decarbonising Transport: Policies and Strategies For Aviation, Maritime and Land.
ILO (just transition workforce)
In November 2024, following recommendations of the Joint ILO/IMO/BC Working Group on Ship Scrapping to increase collaboration between the three organizations, IMO and ILO launched a new 2-year project in Pakistan that combines IMO objectives towards the implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, with ILO’s Decent Work programme to promote quality jobs, dignity, equality, fair income, and safe and healthy working conditions for all workers in the ship recycling sector.
UNCTAD (comprehensive impact assessment)
IMO worked with UNCTAD to conduct the comprehensive impact assessment of the mid-term GHG reduction measure, specifically on Assessment of impacts of the measure on States.
UN Women
In September 2024, IMO and UN Women organized training for IMO staff with the multi-pronged approach, each training are tailored targeting all staff, line managers, Human Resources Service, and Crosss-Divisional Working Group on Gender and Diversity.
However, there is no specific coordination with ECOSOC subsidiary bodies in 2024
3. In the past year, has your organization organized any intergovernmentally mandated conferences, forums or events that contributed to the achievement of the SDGs, or has been in the process of planning and organizing any such mandated events to be held next year?
In November 2024, IMO, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) held a side event at COP 29: Decarbonising Transport: Policies and Strategies For Aviation, Maritime and Land. The side event outlined the ambitions of the three pillars of transport in the United Nations: maritime, air and inland transport; with the aim of achieving sustainable transport and mobility, including low and zero carbon mobility in coordination with the fuel and energy supply systems.
4. In the past year, has your organization published or planned to publish any analytical work, guidance or reference materials, or toolkits to guide and support the implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels? Please select up to three to highlight, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs.
Currently, IMO provided relevant materials through the following e-learning modules:
Introduction to Marine Biofouling: Impacts and Management of Risks
| Resource Name | Introduction to Marine Biofouling: Impacts and Management of Risks |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17 |
| Publishing entity/entities | IMO (with support from World Maritime University) |
| Target audience |
|
| Description (max 150 words) | The e-learning course provides a basic introduction to the differences between biofouling and invasive aquatic species (IAS), the global problem of biofouling and the IAS with the costs and risks involved and how to mitigate IAS and marine biofouling effectively. The aim is to raise awareness about marine biofouling and IAS on the level of mitigating and preventing biofouling to important stakeholders to effectively deal with the spread of IAS, reduce GHG emissions and maintain livelihoods for coastal populations.
|
| Language(s) | English and Spanish |
| Website (if applicable) | IMO e-Learning |
GHG SMART E-Learning Course
s
| Resource Name | GHG SMART E-Learning Course |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 |
| Publishing entity/entities | IMO (Moodle learning platform) |
| Target audience | Maritime professionals, experts, general public interested in climate change/IMO Strategy issues |
| Description (max 150 words) | The course consists of 6 Modules, with PPT presentations and text books that cover topics such as the International Regulatory Framework, the IMO Strategy, National Action Plans (NAPs), Ports Decarbonization, Alternative fuels, Climate finance. Open to the general public. |
| Language(s) | English |
| Website (if applicable) | IMO e-Learning / https://ghgsmart.imo.org/ |
5. The United Nations has defined six key transitions, or transformative entry points, that can have catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs and which have been guiding the UN development system work since the 2023 SDG Summit. In the past year, how has your organization contributed to these transformative actions and how various actors are being rallied behind them to mobilize further leadership and investment to bring progress to scale? Please provide any relevant links.
Through its long-term projects IMO aims to contribute to areas of Climate change (GreenVoyage2050, GMN; GHG SMART; IMO CARES; SMART-C GHG; Innovation Forum; and Fin-SMART) biodiversity loss and pollution (Plastic Litter Programme, Biofouling Programme, Noise Programme, and Ship Recycling Programme) and Jobs and social protection – Human elements (SMART-C Traffic and SMART-C Women)
Moreover, with the aim of achieving sustainable solutions and promoting and facilitating support from partners and donors, IMO has:- Established and is implementing Resource Mobilization Strategy topromote long-term project and scale-up technical cooperation and encourage active investment partnership through ODA to ensure sustainable funding with the knowledge partnership model, IMO serves 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.
IMO has expanded the project scale in various areas. Since March 2020, 14 projects have been launched increasing the current portfolio to approximately USD 161 million. There were 8 new projects launched between December 2023 – January 2024 including GMN phase II (10 million EUR), Green Voyage2050 phase II (20 million USD), SMART-C Framework projects portfolio (5 projects with total of 20 million USD) and GloNoise project (2 million USD). More projects are at various stages of development focusing on Digitalization and safety among other areas.
Relevant links:
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/Partnerships…
https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/Pages/WhatsNew-1995.aspx
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/GreenVoyage20…
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/GHG-Smart.aspx
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/IMO-EuropeanU…
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/GloFouling-Pr…
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/TEST-Biofouli…
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PartnershipsProjects/Pages/GloLitter-Par…
https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/IMO-Republic-of…
6. Please provide strategies (policies, guidance, plan) and/or collective actions taken to implement the 2024 Ministerial Declaration of the Economic and Social Council and the high-level political forum on sustainable development convened under the auspices of the Council. Please note any challenges foreseen and provide any relevant links.
Not applicable to IMO
7. What collective efforts is your entity undertaking to support countries in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the areas of Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), Goal 5 (Gender equality), Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth), Goal 14 (Life below water) and Goal 17 (Partnerships), which will go under in-depth review at the HLPF in 2025? Please note any achievements, challenges and gaps and provide any relevant links.
Goal 3 – Good health and well-being
Not applicable to IMO
Goal 5 – Gender Equality
IMO supports gender equality and the empowerment of women through gender specific fellowships; by facilitating access to high-level technical training for women in the maritime sector in developing countries; by creating the environment in which women are identified and selected for career development opportunities in maritime administrations, ports and maritime training institutes; and by facilitating the establishment of professional women in maritime associations, particularly in developing countries.
Currently, under IMO's auspices, eight Women in Maritime Associations (WIMAs) have been established in Africa, Arab States, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific, covering some 152 countries and dependent territories and 490 participants.
Additionally, IMO is working closely with Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International) to conduct a survey of women involvement in maritime sector.
In addition, IMO also organize SMART-C Women project which is dedicated specifically supports women professionals from ASEAN and Pacific regions, equipping them with skills in environmental and digital technologies. This program offers both online and on-site training, aiming to enhance women’s competitiveness in the sector. Key impacts include increased access to formal education through fellowships, expanded global networking opportunities, and the development of a national master plan for women’s empowerment in the maritime sector in two pilot countries. This initiative seeks to open up more leadership and technical roles for women, strengthening their influence and opportunities within the industry.
Goal 8 - Decent work and economic growth
In 2024, IMO’s Legal Committee finalized a new set of guidelines to ensure seafarers are protected against unfair treatment if detained in foreign jurisdictions on suspicion of committing a crime. The guidelines are to be applied where seafarers may be detained in a jurisdiction other than that of the seafarers' nationality on suspicion of committing crimes during the course of their employment on board a ship. They aim to protect seafarers’ right to due process during investigation and detention by public authorities.
In addition to the above, IMO has initiated active collaboration with the ILO to incorporate its Decent Work Agenda and Just Transition programme, particularly targeting the ship recycling sector in South Asian countries. The aim is to facilitate job creation, increasing occupational safety and health, and encouraging social dialogue within the ship recycling sector to enable workers to participate in decisions that affect their lives through unions and collective negotiations.
Goal 14 – Life Below Water
IMO plays a critical role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), which focuses on "Life Below Water" by promoting the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources. Below is some example on how IMO contributes to this goal:
Pollution Prevention: Through the MARPOL Convention, IMO sets global standards to prevent pollution from ships. This includes efforts to reduce oil spills, control air pollution, manage ballast water, and prevent the discharge of harmful substances into the sea.
Reducing Marine Litter: IMO works on initiatives like the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, aimed at minimizing plastic waste from maritime operations, which directly contributes to the reduction of ocean litter.
Protecting Marine Biodiversity: IMO designates Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) and Special Areasto protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and mangroves, from harmful maritime activities.
Ballast Water Management: To prevent the spread of invasive species, IMO enforces the Ballast Water Management Convention, which requires ships to treat their ballast water before discharging it, helping protect local ecosystems.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions: IMO's 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships aligns with efforts to mitigate climate change, which directly impacts ocean health. The organization has also established measures to reduce shipping emissions, such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
Capacity-Building and Technical Cooperation: IMO assists developing countries in implementing maritime standards and builds capacity for sustainable maritime operations, aligning with SDG 14's targets to strengthen global partnerships for ocean conservation.
Preventing Overfishing and Illegal Fishing: While IMO does not directly regulate fishing, it collaborates with other agencies (like the FAO) to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, often by supporting vessel tracking and registration standards.
Goal 17 – Partnership
IMO has a long and successful track record of matching the requirements of developing countries, including Least Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, with resources made available by a range of governmental, institutional and corporate donors. Building on this - IMO promotes a culture of collaboration and innovation, creating broader engagement and partnerships with maritime and ocean-related stakeholders
If your organization has been part of any initiatives or multi-stakeholder partnerships in the past year that support these goals, please copy the below table to fill out for each initiative/partnership.
IMO has initiated the following fifteen partnerships:
IMO GreenVoyage2050
| Initiative/Partnership Name | IMO GreenVoyage2050 |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Norway (Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norad), Finland (Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Traficom), France (Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture), Germany (Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport), and the Netherlands (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management). Strategic Partners: International Association of Ports and Harbors, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, International Power-to-X Hub |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 5, 7, 9, 13, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Countries currently receiving support under GreenVoyage2050 are: Belize, China, Cook Islands, Georgia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, and South Africa. New countries will be joining annually from 2024 onwards. |
| Description (max 150 words) | The GreenVoyage2050 programme, a partnership initiated by the International Maritime Organization and Norway, supports greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in shipping to advance low and zero-carbon maritime transport. Aligning with IMO's GHG Strategy, the programme seeks to contribute to the global effort to combat climate change by transforming the shipping industry into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly sector. GreenVoyage2050 assists developing countries, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), through technical support and capacity-building initiatives. The programme primarily supports countries to develop National Action Plans (NAPs) to reduce emissions from ships, as well as to identify and develop Pilot Projects through the GreenVoyage2050 Accelerator. The programme encourages an open and collaborative approach to the challenges which the industry faces, assists countries with developing data driven baselines to inform decisions, develops new knowledge products and connects stakeholders across the maritime value chain. |
| Website | https://greenvoyage2050.imo.org/ |
IMO Cares
| Initiative/Partnership Name | IMO Cares |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Implementing Partners: Maritime Technology Cooperation Centers in Caribbean and Africa (MTCC Caribbean & MTCC Africa) |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 5, 7, 9, 13, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Countries receiving targeted support under IMO Cares are: Trinidad & Tobago, St Kitts & Nevis, Mauritius, Namibia. Additionally, MTCCs, the project’s implementing partners, benefit entire regions in Africa and the Caribbean through regional workshops, training, and capacity-building initiatives. |
| Description (max 150 words) | IMO CARES was launched in 2023 to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to identify suitable market ready technology solutions that will help improve the efficiency of selected vessels and / or ports, reduce operational costs and GHG maritime emissions. The IMO CARES project aims to advance global efforts in reducing shipping emissions by promoting technology focused partnerships, demonstration of technologies and knowledge sharing between the global north and south. By facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, IMO CARES seeks to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, fostering a greener and more sustainable maritime industry. |
| Website | IMO Cares |
GHG SMART – Sustainable Maritime Transport Training Programme
| Initiative/Partnership Name | GHG SMART – Sustainable Maritime Transport Training Programme |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Republic of Korea Implementing Partners: Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA) |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | The following countries completed the training programme to date (2022-2024): Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Cook Islands, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mozambique, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Timor Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia. |
| Description (max 150 words) | The IMO-Republic of Korea Sustainable Maritime Transport Training Programme (GHG–SMART), funded by the Republic of Korea ($4.5 million), supports small islands developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs) with the implementation of the IMO GHG Strategy via building sufficient human capacity in these countries. It includes the development of an annual programme of a comprehensive training online, followed by individual training plans, a Practical Training and Study visit, combined with an opportunity of 2 trainees (1 woman and 1 man) to further benefit from a World Maritime University (WMU) scholarship. The GHG-SMART Project represents an innovative way of delivering IMO's training activities since it provides a continued long-term programme: participants undergo classroom training as well as field training. The field training includes visits to the technology development and demonstration sites and major infrastructure facilities that support GHG reduction and energy efficiency. |
| Website | https://ghgsmart.imo.org/ |
| Initiative / Partnership Name | SMART-C GHG |
| Partners (please list of the partners) | The Republic of Korea |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 4, 5, 9 13, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | The Philippines and Viet Nam as pilot countries |
| Description (max 150 words) | The 2023 IMO Revised GHG Strategy emphasizes the importance of National Action Plans (NAPs) from member states, encouraging tailored policies to meet IMO’s global greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. These NAPs allow countries to align international objectives with their national priorities. Through the SMART-C GHG project, support is provided to the Philippines and Vietnam as pilot countries in developing and implementing their NAPs to adhere to maritime GHG reduction regulations. This project focuses on building capacity for baseline data collection, analysis, and informed decision-making, aligning with IMO’s 2023 strategy. Successful implementation in these pilot countries could create models for regional application, driving the maritime sector’s progress towards decarbonization. Expected impacts include enhanced GHG emission monitoring, improved national readiness for maritime regulations, and the empowerment of ship operators and ports to make informed decisions on adopting decarbonization technologies. |
| Website |
Innovation Forum
| Initiative/Partnership Name | Innovation Forum |
| Partners (please list all partners) | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as an implementing partner, with support from the Government of Norway |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 9, 13, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Global |
| Description (max 150 words) | The Innovation Forum is a global platform aimed at championing innovation to accelerate the transition of the marine sector towards a zero- and low-emission future. The initiative focusses on promotion of inclusive innovation that addresses the specific needs of developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). |
| Website | IMO-UNEP-Norway Innovation Forum 2024 |
GEF-UNDP-IMO Glofouling Partnerships Project
| Initiative/Partnership Name | GEF-UNDP-IMO Glofouling Partnerships Project |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Strategic Partners: Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Transport Canada, German Government / Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, New Zealand Government / Ministry for Primary Industries, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, International Ocean Institute, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Chalmers University of Technology Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean engineering Plymouth Marine Laboratory, University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory - Maritime Environmental Resource Center - ship in-water cleaning and capture, World Aquaculture Society, World Maritime University, BIMCO, Global TestNet, International Chamber of Shipping, The Korean Register of Shipping, The Royal Institution of Naval Architects, Women's International Shipping & Trading Association, World Sailing Ltd., Republic of Korea Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Norwegian Development Aid, Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean, Maritime Authorities of Latin America, International Maritime University of Panama, The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea, Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for Africa, CENTRO DE COOPERACIÓN EN TECNOLOGÍA MARÍTIMA – LATINOAMÉRICA |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 5, 7, 9, 13, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Fiji, Jordan, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tonga |
| Description (max 150 words) | The overall objective of the GloFouling Partnership Project is to build capacity in developing countries for implementing the IMO Biofouling and other relevant guidelines for biofouling management and to catalyse overall reductions in the transboundary introduction of biofouling-mediated Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) with additional benefits in the reduction of GHG emissions from shipping. More specifically, the aims and objectives of the project are to address the issue of IAS with a focus on national legal, policy and institutional reforms in targeted developing countries and SIDS, and an emphasis on integrated management and cross-sectoral coordination, including: Developing and replicating best practices and encouraging knowledge-sharing to minimise the transfer of invasive aquatic species through biofouling. Building the capacity to enable countries to push forward their national agendas. Strengthening regional collaboration and working towards advanced integration. Promoting collaboration with industry to facilitate the successful transfer of new technologies from developed to developing countries. |
| Website | https://www.glofouling.imo.org/the-project |
IMO-Norad TEST Biofouling Project
| Initiative/Partnership Name | IMO-Norad TEST Biofouling Project |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) Implementing partners: Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCC) of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Pacific regions |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 1, 5, 13, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Lead Partnering Countries: Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Fiji, Jordan, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tonga Partnering Countries: Argentina, Chile, China, Comoros, Djibouti, Islamic Republic of Islam, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nigeria, Panama, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname and Tuvalu |
| Description (max 150 words) | The TEST Biofouling project works closely with the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships, building on its achievements to maximize impact in key beneficiary countries and areas where further support will be most effective. Its primary objective is to strengthen capacity in developing countries to implement the IMO Biofouling Guidelines, helping to reduce the spread of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) while also lowering GHG emissions from shipping. The TEST Biofouling project focuses on showcasing innovative technologies and sustainable biofouling management practices through pilot projects, providing developing countries with exposure to new technologies and the potential environmental and energy efficiency benefits they offer. Furthermore, the project aims to reduce the spread of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing to global biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Through demonstration of innovative biofouling management technologies and sustainable business models, the project provides scalable solutions that foster both environmental and economic resilience. Additionally, the project strengthens the capacity of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to implement effective biofouling practices and advance their national action plans. To ensure a coordinated approach, the project promotes collaboration among government, industry, and regional stakeholders within the biofouling industry. By highlighting available funding opportunities, the project helps countries identify and access financial support for sustainable biofouling initiatives. Finally, the project integrates gender considerations, promoting gender equality and empowering women’s participation in the biofouling sector. |
| Website | https://testbiofouling.imo.org/about-the-project/ |
GEF-UNDP-IMO GloNoise Partnership Project
| Initiative/Partnership Name | GEF-UNDP-IMO GloNoise Partnership Project |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Strategic Partners: BIMCO, Cambridge University, Transport Canada, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States, University of Strathclyde, International Whaling Commission, JORES Project, KRISO, MARIN, RINA, SGS, VAF instruments, Wikki Ltd, EIA, University of Southampton, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), NRDC. |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 5,9,13,14,15,17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, India, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago as Lead Pilot Countries. Georgia, Madagascar and Malaysia as Partnering Countries. |
| Description (max 150 words) | Description (max 150 words) The overall objective of the GloNoise Partnership project is to establish a truly global stakeholders’ partnership, with a strong developing countries’ focus, in order to deal with the major environmental issue of underwater noise from shipping. The specific objective of the project is to assist developing countries and regions to raise awareness, to build capacity, define baselines and promote international policy dialogue on mitigation of URN |
| Website | GloNoise Partnership |
SENSREC
| Initiative/Partnership Name | SENSREC |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding partners: Norway, China Collaborating partners: Basel Convention Secretariat, International Labour Organization, UNIDO, International Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, Lloyd’s Register, ClassNK |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDG 3, 5, 8, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Bangladesh, Panama |
| Description (max 150 words) | The project is a comprehensive and integrated approach that focuses on policy alignment, design and establishment of institutional mechanisms and governance systems, and at the same time develops the capacities of the stakeholders in the ship recycling sector by promoting sustainable social and environmental practices. The overall objective is to enhance the capacity of participating countries to promote a just transition and put in place sound and effective measures that improve the standards of health, safety and environmental compliance at ship recycling yards, as required by the Hong Kong Convention, as well as the capacity for environmentally sound waste management of the hazardous and other materials that are generated from the process of ship breaking. The project also advocates the promotion of decent working conditions including labour and social protection of workers. |
| Website | https://sensrec.imo.org/ |
SMART-C GHG
| Initiative / Partnership Name | SMART-C GHG |
| Partners (please list of the partners) | The Republic of Korea |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 4, 5, 9 13, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | The Philippines and Viet Nam as pilot countries |
| Description (max 150 words) | The 2023 IMO Revised GHG Strategy emphasizes the importance of National Action Plans (NAPs) from member states, encouraging tailored policies to meet IMO’s global greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. These NAPs allow countries to align international objectives with their national priorities. Through the SMART-C GHG project, support is provided to the Philippines and Vietnam as pilot countries in developing and implementing their NAPs to adhere to maritime GHG reduction regulations. This project focuses on building capacity for baseline data collection, analysis, and informed decision-making, aligning with IMO’s 2023 strategy. Successful implementation in these pilot countries could create models for regional application, driving the maritime sector’s progress towards decarbonization. Expected impacts include enhanced GHG emission monitoring, improved national readiness for maritime regulations, and the empowerment of ship operators and ports to make informed decisions on adopting decarbonization technologies. |
| Website |
SMART-C Women
| Initiative / Partnership Name | SMART-C Women |
| Partners (please list of the partners) | The Republic of Korea |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam |
| Description (max 150 words) | The maritime sector remains largely male-dominated, with women comprising only about 20% of the workforce employed by IMO Member States and holding just 14% of technical roles, according to an IMO and WISTA International survey. Committed to advancing gender equality in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, IMO promotes greater recruitment and career progression for women. The SMART-C Women project specifically supports women professionals from ASEAN and Pacific regions, equipping them with skills in environmental and digital technologies. This program offers both online and on-site training, aiming to enhance women’s competitiveness in the sector. Key impacts include increased access to formal education through fellowships, expanded global networking opportunities, and the development of a national master plan for women’s empowerment in the maritime sector in two pilot countries. This initiative seeks to open up more leadership and technical roles for women, strengthening their influence and opportunities within the industry. |
| Website |
SMART-C Traffic
| Initiative / Partnership Name | SMART-C Traffic |
| Partners (please list of the partners) | The Republic of Korea |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 5, 9, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | The Philippines |
| Description (max 150 words) | The Philippines, heavily reliant on maritime transport, seeks enhanced safety and security in port navigation, improved environmental protections, and adherence to international maritime standards. In response, SMART-C Traffic projects is developing a testbed for a web-based e-navigation service to efficiently manage maritime safety information, aiming to reduce marine accidents and support environmental protection. This testbed will also serve as a scalable model for similar systems in other developing countries. Key goals include strengthening maritime safety protocols, optimizing traffic management, enabling real-time navigation and data access, and improving maritime professionals' skills in safety operations. This project not only addresses critical navigational needs but also supports the broader goal of promoting sustainable, blue economic growth through advanced marine digital technologies. |
| Website |
SMART-C Leaders
| Initiative / Partnership Name | SMART-C Leaders |
| Partners (please list of the partners) | The Republic of Korea |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 4, 5, 9, 13, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | SIDS (small island developing states) from the Pacific region with Tonga and Vanuatu as Lead Pilot Countries (LPCs) and other countries as Partner Countries (PCs) |
| Description (max 150 words) | Since 1959, the IMO has established over 50 maritime conventions and 2,000 resolutions to enhance shipping safety, security, and environmental protection. The process for adopting and implementing these conventions can be challenging, especially for developing countries. SMART-C Leaders project supports Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific region by strengthening their capacity for Port State Control (PSC) and Flag State Implementation (FSI). Through this initiative, countries receive assistance in executing corrective action plans (CAPs) identified during their audits under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). The project also trains public officials responsible for enforcing IMO conventions and participating in IMO meetings. Key objectives include enhancing governance and compliance with international standards, building expertise among maritime professionals, and fostering ongoing knowledge exchange and updates on IMO regulations. This project aims to improve the region’s overall maritime governance and adherence to global standards. |
| Website |
GloLitter Partnerships Project
| Initiative/Partnership Name | GloLitter Partnerships Project |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Norad, AMSA, KSA Implementing Partner: FAO |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDGs: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 12, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | Lead Partner Countries(LPCs) The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, The Republic of Kenya, The Republic of Madagascar, The Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Republic of India, The Republic of Indonesia, The Republic of Costa Rica Jamaica, The Federative Republic of Brazil, The Republic of Vanuatu
Partner Countries(PCs) The Republic of Cabo Verde, The Republic of the Gambia, The Republic of Mozambique, The Republic of Senegal, The Republic of the Sudan, The United Republic of Tanzania, The Togolese Republic, The Republic of the Philippines, The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, The Kingdom of Thailand, The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, The Republic of Nicaragua, The Republic of Panama, The Argentine Republic, The Republic of Colombia, The Republic of Ecuador, The Republic of Peru, Solomon Islands, The Kingdom of Tonga |
| Description (max 150 words) | The GloLitter Partnerships is a global project supporting developing countries, including Small Islands Developing States and Least Developed Countries, in identifying opportunities for the prevention and reduction of marine litter. The project operates under joint implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), providing support to both the shipping and fisheries industries. |
| Website | GloLitter Partnerships Project |
RegLitter Partnerships Project
| Initiative/Partnership Name | RegLitter Partnerships Project |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Republic of Korea Implementing Partner: FAO |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | SDGs: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 12, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it |
Partner Countries: The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, Viet Nam and India |
| Description (max 150 words) | The RegLitter project aims to tackle sea-based marine plastic litter through capacity building and policy and institutional reforms at national level, leading to regional cooperation in East Asia. This regional project builds on the work implemented under the ongoing GloLitter Partnerships Project which is building a global foundation to address this important issue. |
| Website | Coming soon |
Marine Environment Protection of the South-East Asian Seas (MEPSEAS)
| Initiative/Partnership Name | MEPSEAS Project |
| Partners (please list all partners) | Funding Partners: Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) Strategic partners: ASEAN, PEMSEAS, Maritime Port of Authority – Singapore, Tokyo MoU, WIMA Asia |
| Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) | 5, 7, 9, 14, 17 |
| Member States benefiting from it | LPCs: Brazil, Costa Rica, Côte D’ivoire, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Vanuatu
PCs: Argentina, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, The Gambia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, The Philippines, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania (The), Thailand, Timor-leste, Togo, Tonga, Viet Nam |
| Description (max 150 words) | The MEPSEAS Project assists developing countries in the ASEAN region (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) to reduce the impact of ship-generated pollution and environmental issues related to marine transport and fisheries. |
| Website | mepseas@imo.org |