"Connecting Ships, Ports and P♣∑eople" has been ♠>​selected as the World Maritime D₹‌ay theme for 2017 following a∑¥ proposal by Secretary-General  δKitack Lim to the IMO Council®π.

Addressing the IMO Counc©γil, meeting for its 116th session ≈§↑​at IMO Headquarters in Lond∏​on, Mr. Lim said the theme would pεδγ£rovide an opportunity to work w••ith developed and developing ↕↕≥countries, shipping and pΩε €ublic and private sector ports w≤★ ✘ith a view to identifyiσ ¶♦ng and promoting best practices and buσγ≥ilding bridges between the $♦™many diverse actors involved in these ¶•areas.

Key objectives will include impr∞≤₽oving cooperation between p'♥ Ωorts and ships, and developing₩₽¥ a closer partnership between the two s←γectors; raising global ∑•≈€standards and setting norms for the s≈> afety, security and efficiency of p'∞orts, and for port and coasta↔γl State authorities; and standar₽Ωdizing port procedures througπ♥☆∑h identifying and developing best p♦∑×↑ractice guidance and training materia₹<'≈ls.

"The maritime sector, whic&®≥₩h includes shipping, ports and the p'$∞♦eople that operate them, can and sΩ'≠↕hould play a significant roλβ® le helping Member State±↓βs to create conditions for increased ↔©₽employment, prosperity and stability≠∏‍∑ ashore through promoα→×ting trade by sea; enhancing th✔<α✘e port and maritime sector∞πΩπ as wealth creators both on land an♥♣• d, through developing a✘★$ sustainable blue economy, at sea,&quo∏★₽λt; Mr. Lim said.

"The aim is to bu≈λild on the World Maritime Day th∑↑<&eme for 2016, "Shippi∞→♦™ng: indispensable to the world&quo‌←✘±t;, by focussing on helping Me∑↔₹♣mber States to develo♦☆p and implement maritime strategies to↓φ$♦ invest in a joined-up, i₩∞nteragency approach tha¥☆t addresses the whole range☆πΩ  of issues, including ♦αthe facilitation of maritime t ♠≠ransport, and increasing efficie★&₹ncy, navigational sa♣¶σγfety, protection of the mar ¥ine environment, and mari→↑time security," Mr. L>‌​δim said.

In this way, IMO will be contribut♣€λεing to achieving the Unitedλ&‍ Nations' Sustainable D★≠δδevelopment Goals (SDGs) which are a broΩ★ad response to the challenges facing thו★e world today – increasinπ∑ g world population; climate chan∑$ge; threats to the enviσ>ronment; unsustainable exploitation of ∑₽natural resources; threats¶↔γφ to food security; societal threats po$™sed by organized criminals and violenγ>≈¶t extremists; and instability leadingβσ to mixed migration.

"Ultimately, more efficient sh☆₹←ipping, working in partne♠♠¶φrship with a port sector s$÷&upported by governments,λ✔‌♠ will be a major driver toward↔∑§s global stability and sustain¶λ‌δable development for th¥ ‌e good of all people,& ¥£quot; Mr. Lim said.
From IMO website.