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The IMO Council has endorsed a proposal by IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu to adopt “IMO Conventions: Effective Implementation” as the World Maritime Day theme for 2014.
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Addressing the IMO Council, meeting for its 110th session in London, Mr. Sekimizu said that IMO has, over the years, built up an enviable track record for developing and adopting new international conventions. There have been 53 in all, addressing safety, environmental issues, liability and compensation, and other topics.
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“Nevertheless,” he added, “as has often been stated in the Council, adoption alone is only the first step of the treaty-making process; to be effective, adoption must be followed by entry into force and, subsequently, widespread implementation.” He added that he was particularly concerned at the slow pace of ratification and implementation of several of the environmental conventions adopted by IMO.
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World Maritime Day is celebrated at IMO Headquarters and around the world in the last week of September. Since 2005, a formal parallel event has been held, hosted by an IMO Member State.
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In 2014, the World Maritime Day Parallel Event will be held in Morocco, and in 2015, in Japan.
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