Activity Start date ongoing:
Ongoing
Activity End date ongoing:
Ongoing
Activity:
The Integrated Technical Assistance Programme (ITCP)
Objectives:
5 Following the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda adopted as UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/1: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, IMO has linked its technical assistance work to the SDGs in order to support Member States' implementation of the SDGs at the national level. Beyond the linkage with technical assistance, the SDGs are also linked with the work of the Organization as a whole. As a consequence, the 2018-2019 ITCP supports the Organization's response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development both at IMO and country levels through inter alia the participation of IMO in the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) programmes.5 IMO does not have a regular budget for technical cooperation activities but relies on extra-budgetary resources for its TC work. IMO’s technical assistance consists of 16 global (focus on specific technical issues undertaken from a worldwide perspective) and 8 regional (geographical framework for the delivery of technical assistance at regional level) programmes. Its budget for 2018-2019 amounts to USD13,000,000.00. In view of the limited resources available to IMO for implementing its technical cooperation programmes, the IMO Secretariat utilizes its technical assistance effectively through partnership arrangements. Accordingly, Member States, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and industry play a significant role in the provision of resources (financial and/or in-kind) to support the implementation of the ITCP through the development of effective partnership arrangements with IMO.6 Through a global programme on Support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for their special shipping needs IMO continues to provide support to the sustainable development of these unique and particularly vulnerable Member States, recognizing that maritime transport and seaborne trade are vital for their economic growth and improved accessibility. During 2016, assistance was focused on supporting the participation of SIDS and LDCs at the annual meeting of the Asia and Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies and providing technical assistance on effective enforcement of IMO instruments to Member States in need of drafting, updating and bringing into force primary and secondary maritime legislation.7 IMO’s work in building regional capacity for the repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden continues through the Djibouti Code of Conduct programme. In response to recommendations made by signatory States to the Djibouti Code of Conduct, and taking into account the lessons learned from countering piracy, similar initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea and the maritime security table-top exercises, the Djibouti Code of Conduct was amended and broadened in scope to help regional Governments develop capacity to address a range of illicit maritime activities that threaten maritime safety and security in the region, including trafficking of arms, drugs and wildlife, maritime terrorism, illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft, human trafficking and illegal dumping of toxic waste. In particular, signatory States agreed to new measures including a focus on national organization of security and facilitation, strengthening national capacity, enhanced communication and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.8 In 2016, IMO’s programme on Long-term marine environmental projects funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) supported the implementation of activities related to the protection of the marine environment, focusing on development cooperation to enhance the capacities of East Asian countries to implement and enforce related IMO conventions, codes and other standards. Final regional meetings on assistance to East Asian countries in ratifying and implementing IMO instruments for the protection of the marine environment provided reports on project achievements through the end of phase 4, discussing next steps, future programmes and technical assistance needs.
Lead Organization/Partners :
The International Maritime Organization (IMO). 1 IMO’s Technical Cooperation Programme fosters human and institutional capacity building in the maritime administrations of Member States, thereby augmenting the level of implementation and compliance with IMO's international multilateral and shipping-related treaties and in so doing, supports IMO Member States in fulfilling their obligations emanating from those instruments. In addition, IMO has made every effort to ensure that the technical assistance activities contribute to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) both at IMO and country levels. 2 With regard to technical assistance, IMO’s technical assistance programme focuses on institutional and human capacity-building leading to: promoting the ratification, implementation and enforcement of the main IMO conventions and regulations that address marine pollution, not only from sea-based sources but also from land-based sources, e.g. through the London Convention and Protocol (LC/LP) on dumping wastes and other matter at sea. Other technical assistance programmes include assisting countries in developing and adopting relevant aspects of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and establishment of Special Areas under MARPOL and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs).3 Another significant contribution towards the achievement of the SDGs will be to reduce the transfer of alien species at sea through ballast water, in accordance with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, (BWM) 2004. Improved awareness and understanding of the impact that shipping has on coastal ecosystems will help identify appropriate measures for the co-existence of marine life and economic activities in the ocean space. IMO will continue to promote the ratification and enhancement of the effective implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention and offer technical assistance for capacity building for its control, monitoring and enforcement.4 At the global level, IMO is part of several initiatives taking place by various entities on ocean governance which will have a significant effect on the Organization's work, in particular the development of an international legally-binding instrument under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. One of IMO's Strategic Directions is on ocean governance and IMO participated in the United Nation Oceans Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 held in New York, from 5 to 9 June 2017, coinciding with the World Oceans Day.
Scope of Activity:
Global
Websites:
Activity Start date:
Ongoing
Activity End date:
Ongoing
Submitted By:
Relevant Stakeholder
Relevant Stakeholder:
The International Maritime Organization (IMO)