While Environment Minister Eamon Ryan announced earlier this week that European Maritime Day – the EU's annual maritime event – will be held in Cork next May, the United Nations agency, the International Maritime Organisation has announced that its World Maritime Day will be on September 25 next year.
The IMO has announced that its theme is "Our Ocean - Our Obligation - Our Opportunity."
"The theme reflects the ocean's vital role in the world economy, with more than 80% of global trade transported by sea. The ocean is a source of jobs and food for millions of people, a home for countless marine species and a regulator of the planet's climate, mitigating the impacts of climate change," IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, said. "Our long-standing commitment on this issue is evident in IMO's robust global regulatory framework supporting cleaner, safer seas and a growing portfolio of technical assistance initiatives to support ocean protection in our 176 Member States."
The headquarters of the IMO is in London. Both Ireland and the UK are members of the IMO, but London is no longer part of the EU since the UK left under Brexit.
According to Minister Ryan's announcement European Maritime Day "acts as the EU meeting point on maritime affairs and sustainable blue growth, and the place where 'Ocean Leaders Meet'
No actual date for the Cork event in May of next year has yet been announced.
"European Maritime Day is also a public event reaching out to young people and citizens across Europe," said Mr. Ryan
