IMO Chief Calls for Unified Efforts to Protect Ocean Ecosystems

Image Credits: IMO

As reported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Secretary-General arsenio dominguez emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced global collaboration to safeguard our oceans as we approach World Oceans Day on June 8.

mr. Dominguez is rallying nations, industries, and communities to harness the “power of multilateralism” in renewing thier commitments to ocean conservation.With the UN Ocean conference set to take place in Nice, France from June 9-13, he sees this as a pivotal moment for collective action that can benefit future generations.

He stated, “it’s our shared duty to protect the invaluable marine ecosystems and resources that sustain us all. This World Oceans Day should serve as a reminder of our joint responsibility—governments,businesses,and civil society alike—to enhance our efforts through collaborative action. The health of our oceans—and indeed our planet—depends on it.”

Focus on Shipping at UN Ocean Conference 2025

To highlight shipping’s critical role in ocean preservation, Mr. dominguez will lead a delegation at the upcoming Third United Nations Ocean conference in Nice. He plans to engage with global leaders and experts from various sectors—including science and civil society—to explore how shipping can contribute more effectively to ocean initiatives.

Shipping is responsible for transporting over 80% of international trade and adds more than $900 billion annually to the ocean economy. To leverage this sector’s expertise for environmental benefits, IMO’s global Industry Alliance (GIA) fosters partnerships between maritime companies and other ocean-related industries aimed at supporting climate action.

during the conference in Nice, IMO will unveil two new Global Industry Alliances focused on tackling underwater noise pollution and addressing marine plastic waste.

boosting Action

The renewed commitment from IMO builds upon nearly seventy years of establishing international standards designed to protect marine environments from detrimental shipping practices through technical cooperation efforts. these regulations have led to notable reductions in oil spills, shipwrecks, container losses, and air pollution worldwide.

Currently, IMO is amplifying its initiatives against what it terms a “triple planetary crisis” involving climate change impacts, pollution challenges, and biodiversity decline by:

• Addressing Climate Change: Crafting new regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vessels while promoting decarbonization technologies.
• combating Marine Pollution: Implementing an updated global action plan targeting sea-based sources contributing to marine plastic litter.
• Protecting Biodiversity: Establishing legally binding frameworks designed to prevent invasive aquatic species spread via ships while assisting member states with issues related to underwater noise.

This proactive stance reflects an understanding that protecting our oceans requires concerted effort across all sectors—a sentiment echoed globally as communities recognize their interconnectedness with these vital ecosystems.