The World Maritime Day
theme for 2025 "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity" reflects
the ocean’s vital role in the world economy, with more than 80% of global trade
transported by sea. The ocean is a source of jobs and food for millions of
people, a home for countless marine species, and a regulator of the planet's
climate, mitigating the impacts of climate change.
As the largest sector
operating in the ocean space, shipping has a central role to play in the
protection of the marine environment and management of ocean resources.
IMO’s long-standing
commitment on this issue is evident in the robust global regulatory framework
supporting cleaner, safer seas, and a growing portfolio of technical assistance
initiatives to support ocean protection in 176 Member States
The theme emphasizes the
link to wider global efforts to protect the ocean including the conclusion of
UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological
Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), the negotiation
of a new instrument to address plastic pollution and the third UN Ocean
Conference in June 2025.
The theme will allow all
stakeholders to showcase the deep interconnection of shipping and IMO in the
ocean space, highlighting the importance of collaboration and coordination to
ensure the sustainable and safe use of ocean resources.