MOSCOW, September 25 (RIA Novosti) - World Maritime Day, an event prioritizing the preservation of biological, natural and recreational maritime resources for future generations is being celebrated on September 25.
World Maritime Day has been celebrated since 1978, following the decision of the Assembly of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (renamed International Maritime Organization, IМО, in 1982).
It was marked on March 17 until 1980, when the celebration was moved to the last full week of September.
In addition to the protection of biological diversity at sea, World Maritime Day is also focused on navigation safety, the struggle against poachers, the protection of water bodies from oil pollution, maritime tourism and many other issues.
The theme of World Maritime Day 2014 is "IMO Conventions: Effective Implementation." It was chosen to highlight those IMO treaties that have not yet entered into force, as well as those for which ratification by more states and more effective implementation would yield significant benefits.
The list of agreements includes the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (2004), the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007), the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (2009) and the 2010 Protocol to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea.
Conferences, discussions and consultations were held to coordinate the text of each convention, yet they have not been ratified by the required number of states.
Various nature conservation and environmental protection events and demonstrations are usually timed to coincide with World Maritime Day celebrations.
The IMO marks World Maritime Day with a traditional diplomatic reception at its headquarters in London and with a parallel event in one of the IMO member states, which this year will be in Tangier, Morocco, on October 27-29.
