- New IMO department will tackle key global issues through innovative partnerships.
- The focal point for developing partnerships and coordinating long-term donor-funded projects.
- It promotes a culture of collaboration and innovation, creating broader engagement and partnerships with maritime and ocean-related stakeholders.
- The global challenges decarbonization, marine plastic litter and biofouling are already being addressed by IMO’s major projects.
A new IMO department is established to tackle key global issues through innovative partnerships and promote sustainable development, says a press release published on their website.
Sustainable development
A new department has been established within the IMO Secretariat to focus on supporting Member States to tackle key global issues related to international shipping and help promote sustainable development.
To tackle global challenges
The Department for Partnerships and Projects is operational from 1 March 2020. This department will enhance and strengthen partnerships with external stakeholders and donor agencies to tackle some of the major global challenges that affect today’s maritime world.
IMO’s resource mobilization strategy
It will be the focal point for developing partnerships and coordinating long-term donor-funded projects, as well as implementing IMO’s resource mobilization strategy to strengthen its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme.
About the new department
The new department reflects IMO’s strong and continuing commitment to helping its Member States achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and implement the Organization’s regulatory framework.
It will serve as a gateway for partnership opportunities with a wide range of external partners, including IMO Member States, UN agencies, financial institutions, NGOs, IGOs and the private sector.
Key objective
A key objective will be to increase IMO’s existing portfolio of donor-supported long-term projects supporting its technical cooperation objectives.
It will promote a culture of collaboration and innovation, creating broader engagement and partnerships with maritime and ocean-related stakeholders.
IMO’s Technical Cooperation Division
With the new department, the existing Partnerships and Resource Mobilization team within IMO’s Technical Cooperation Division and the Major Projects team in the Marine Environment Division come together under a single umbrella.
The new department will build on this to help tackle all key global challenges, within a maritime context, through innovative partnerships and long-term projects.
Decarbonization, marine plastic litter and biofouling are among the topic areas already being addressed by IMO’s major projects.
Head of the department
The new department will be headed by Mr. Jose Matheickal, who brings more than 15 years’ experience of leading and coordinating major projects at IMO, supported by Mr Youngso Kim, who will lead the partnerships function within the new structure.
IMO Secretary-General’s comment
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said, “For the benefits of sustainable development to be evenly spread, all countries must be able to play a full and active part in maritime activities. Building partnerships is key to this. This new department will help that to happen. It’s very much in line with my vision of a ‘Voyage Together’, where no one is left behind when it comes to the effective implementation of IMO’s global standards.”
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Source: IMO
