Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and post-2015 development agenda

In 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets, to follow on from and build on the millennium development goals (MDGs), which were agreed by governments in 2001.

International shipping is inherently indispensable for economic growth and sustainable development and therefore indirectly plays a role in all of the SDGs. At its sixty-seventh session, the Technical Cooperation Committee approved linkages between IMO's technical assistance work and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A TC Circular showing these linkages was subsequently circulated. While it was noted that all SDGs have some connection with IMO's mandate, those deemed to be most directly relevant to IMO's technical assistance work are:

SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all;

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls;

SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all;

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all;

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation;

SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;

SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; and

SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Country Maritime Profile (CMP)

The Country Maritime Profile was created in 2012 as a result of the Secretary-General's initiative on the review and reform of technical cooperation. Data collected is used to identify the real technical cooperation needs of developing countries.

The GISIS Country Maritime Profile database is an extension of that initiative, enabling authorized users to input their country maritime profile data directly. The module provides storage for the data and the ability to retrieve and analyse it. All Member States are required to complete their profile.

IMO Member State Audit Scheme

The IMO Member State Audit Scheme is intended to provide an audited Member State with a comprehensive and objective assessment of how effectively it administers and implements those mandatory IMO instruments which are covered by the Scheme. There are nine instruments included in the scope of the scheme: SOLAS 1974; SOLAS PROTOCOL 1988; MARPOL 73/78; MARPOL PROTOCOL 1997; STCW 1978; LOAD LINES 1966 (LL66); LL 66 PROT 1988; TONNAGE 1969; and COLREG 1972.

The Audit Scheme, mandatory effective January 2016, uses both the IMO Instruments Implementation (III) Code and resolution 1067(28) on "Framework and Procedures" as reference tools.

The results of the audits could be systematically used as input to programming of the technical assistance of the ITCP, along with the Country Maritime Profiles, to ensure than the ITCP is addressing the real needs of its recipient Member States.