By
Rebecca Gibson |
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II helped the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to mark its 70th anniversary at its headquarters in London, UK on 6 March 2018.
The anniversary celebration marked 70 years to the day since the treaty establishing the United Nations IMO was adopted at the UN Maritime Conference in Geneva, Switzerland to make shipping safer, more secure and more environmentally friendly. The convention entered into force on 17 March 1958, when the 21st IMO Member State ratified the treaty. IMO’s first meeting was held at Church House in central London on 6 January 1959.
Today, the IMO has 173 Member States and three Associate Members who pursue a joint mission to develop the global regulatory framework for international shipping. IMO also continues to work with Member States, shipping operators and other marine industry-related organisations to improve maritime safety and security, the efficiency of navigation and the prevention and control of pollution from ships.
Accompanied by IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim, The Queen unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut an anniversary cake during the ceremony. The Queen, who formally opened the IMO headquarters on London’s Albert Embankment in 1983, also met some representatives from IMO Member States, inter-governmental and international non-governmental organizations, and IMO Secretariat staff.
“We are celebrating 70 years of achievement, in which the truly vital industry of shipping has become safer, cleaner and greener, thanks to the work of IMO,” said Lim. “We are also looking ahead to the exciting new challenges on the horizon. Billions of ordinary people, all over the world, rely on shipping every day of their lives – even if they don't realise it or understand it. It is our role to ensure shipping can continue to make this vital contribution to global well-being.”