World Maritime Motto 2024: "Sailing the future: Safety first."

During the development of the 129th session, the IMO Council selected for this year 2024 the theme "Sailing the future: safety first" considering the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

Since the founding of the International Maritime Organization, the issue of security has been the central axis of all the activities it has promoted and developed. Consequently, the legal framework evolves according to the needs of the industry, where the IMO, anticipating the changes that are required, applies a proactive strategy, making room for new technologies and innovations, which allow strengthening the operations of the maritime-port sector, guiding the industry towards a sustainable future.

Considering that through maritime transport the environment is impacted in a lesser way and its activity within world trade represents close to 90%, the constant improvement of ship safety becomes an essential task. This, together with the guidelines drawn up to achieve the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are essential pillars to guide the maritime industry towards a sustainable and efficient path.

"This motto will allow us to focus on the full regulatory implications of new and adapted technologies and the introduction of alternative fuels, including measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, as that the IMO strives to ensure that the safety and efficiency of maritime transport are maintained, and possibly improved, so that the flow of international maritime trade remains smooth and efficient," said the Former IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim.

In relation to the Sustainable Development Goals declared in the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the World Maritime Motto is mainly linked to the following:

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, safe, sustainable and modern energy;
SDG 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all;
SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation;
SDG 13: Adopt urgent measures to combat climate change and its effects;
SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources.

Activities related to the World Maritime Theme 2024 will end on September 26, 2024, the date on which World Maritime Day will be commemorated.