Ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), emphasized the need for stronger global commitments to protect the ocean. He urged governments, industries, and civil society to seize this opportunity for collective action, stating, “We all have a responsibility to safeguard our precious marine environment.”
Dominguez will lead a delegation to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, from June 9-13, where he aims to engage with global leaders and stakeholders to enhance the maritime sector’s role in ocean conservation. The shipping industry, which accounts for over 80% of global trade, plays a crucial role in this effort and is set to unveil two new Global Industry Alliances targeting underwater noise and marine plastic pollution.
The IMO is intensifying its initiatives to combat climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. This includes developing regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, addressing marine plastic litter, and creating frameworks to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Dominguez highlighted the importance of multilateral action for the future of our oceans and planet.
