The newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon. Warren Truss MP, addressed a reception for approximately 70 guests at The National Gallery of Australia.
In his remarks, the Minister acknowledged AMSA's proud record of achievement in promoting safety outcomes through regional and international cooperation and confirmed that shipping will continue to be a high priority for the government.
The Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr Koji Sekimizu, delivered a video address highlighting the importance of sustainable development in the maritime sector. He emphasised the need to work together on our challenges to create solutions to take our industry into the future.
Last year's World Maritime Day theme was IMO: 100 years after the Titanic and focused on the organisation's roots and purpose. That is, safety of life at sea. It was a look to the past and the progression since then.
This year is a look to the future, with the theme Sustainable development: IMO's contribution beyond Rio+20. This theme was chosen to focus IMO's efforts during 2013 on carrying out the commitments made at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, better known as Rio+20, held in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
