Peru has hosted the 2013 IMO World Maritime Day Parallel Event, on 2 and 3 October 2013, with a seminar and other activities, focusing on this year’s World Maritime Day theme: “Sustainable Development: IMO’s contribution beyond Rio+20″”.
The parallel event was attended by representatives from the maritime community in Peru, South America and the rest of the world.
In his opening speech, IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu told the seminar that shipping would have a central part to play if the world is to achieve sustainable development.
“This is because shipping, and ports, are vital links in the global supply chain, the complex mechanism without which today’s inter-dependent, global economy would be simply unable to function. Shipping has always provided the only truly cost-effective method of bulk transport over any great distance, and the development of shipping and the establishment of a global system of trade are intrinsically linked,” he said.
Mr. Sekimizu also highlighted the role of the maritime transportation system in developing countries, where an efficient and well-structured system was a pre-requisite for growth and prosperity.
“The further development of maritime industries in these countries is a necessity. The benefits of the shipping sector as an enabler of world trade cannot be overstated, especially for the benefit of the developing world and its participation in new trading patterns around the world. For the developing world, there are tremendous opportunities arising from a more complete engagement with the shipping sector,” Mr. Sekimizu said.
During his visit to Peru, IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu also met with Mr. Ollanta Humala, President of Peru, and held a series of meetings with, among others, Mrs. Eda Rivas Franchini, Minister of Foreign Relations. They discussed the importance of the maritime sector for Peru, as well as acknowledging the country’s maritime heritage.
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IMO, October 3, 2013