Resolution A.1011(26)

 

Adopted on 26 November 2009

(Agenda item 8)

 

 

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION
(FOR THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD 2010 TO 2015)

 

 

THE ASSEMBLY,

 

RECALLING Part I of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization, in particular article 1(a) thereof,

 

RECALLING ALSO Part II of the Convention, in particular articles 2(a) and (c) thereof,

 

RECALLING FURTHER resolutions:

 

-   A.900(21) on Objectives of the Organization in the 2000s;

-   A.901(21) on IMO and technical co-operation in the 2000s; and

-   A.909(22) on Policy-making in IMO – setting the Organization’s policy and objectives,

 

RECALLING IN PARTICULAR the directions given, at its twenty-second session, to the Council to prepare the Organization’s strategic plan outlining the Organization’s broad direction and strategic objectives; and the adoption, at its twenty-fifth session, of resolution A.989(25) on Strategic Plan for the Organization (for the six-year period 2008 to 2013), including the direction given to the Council therein to review the Plan every biennium,

 

BEING COMMITTED to ensuring the fulfilment of the Organization’s aims and objectives in a uniform manner on a global basis and to setting clear priorities for the purpose of achieving them,

 

HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendations of the Council at its twenty-fifth extraordinary session,

 

 

 

1.         APPROVES the Strategic Plan for the Organization for the six-year period 2010 to 2015, as set out in the attached annex, comprising:

 

(a)       a mission statement;

 

(b)      the trends, developments and challenges in the shipping and maritime world that the Organization is anticipated to face over the aforementioned period;

 

(c)       the strategic directions for the Organization, based on the emerging trends, developments and challenges; and

 

(d)      performance indicators for assessing the performance of the Organization;

 

2.         REQUESTS the Council and the Secretary-General, as appropriate, to monitor progress and analyse, as necessary, any mechanisms required to review and update progress made under the Plan, taking into account the High-level Action Plan developed by the Organization and the Guidelines on the application of the Strategic and High-level Action Plan of the Organization;

 

3.         DIRECTS the Council to review the Plan every biennium;

 

4.         DECIDES to review, at its twenty-seventh regular session, the Organization’s progress against the Plan on the basis of a Council report;

 

5.         REITERATES ITS REQUEST to the Council and all the Committees, when making recommendations for their biennial agendas during the Strategic Plan period, to bear in mind the desirability of not scheduling more than one diplomatic conference in each year, save in exceptional circumstances;

 

6.         REVOKES resolution A.989(25).

 

 

 

ANNEX

 

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION
 (FOR THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD 2010 TO 2015)

 

This, the Organization’s Strategic Plan, covers the six-year period 2010 to 2015. It comprises four sections:

 

.1           a mission statement;

 

.2           the trends and developments in the shipping and maritime world and the related challenges for the Organization;

 

.3           the strategic directions that the Organization wishes to take over the period; and

 

.4           a series of performance indicators.

 

1          Mission statement

 

1.1       The mission of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a United Nations specialized agency is to promote safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping through cooperation. This will be accomplished by adopting the highest practicable standards of maritime safety and security, efficiency of navigation and prevention and control of pollution from ships, as well as through consideration of the related legal matters and effective implementation of IMO’s instruments with a view to their universal and uniform application.

 

2          Trends, developments and challenges

 

2.1       In its work to achieve its mission in an ever-changing world, the Organization faces many challenges. The Organization’s strategic directions have been developed in the context of the trends and developments in today’s shipping industry, as enumerated below.

 

Globalization

 

2.2       Today’s globalized world is characterized by freer movement of people, goods, services and information. It is a more interconnected world, in which the actions taken in one place have implications elsewhere. As commerce has expanded, shipping has taken on greater importance as the major facilitator of global trade. Globalization has also given rise to new players in the maritime arena. For instance, through the process of consolidation, shipping conglomerates and alliances, as well as global terminal operators, wield increasing influence on global trade, the maritime transport sector and shipping matters at large. There is concern that shipping standards might be compromised by the forces of liberalization and competition sweeping through the maritime sector. At the same time, there has also been increased interaction between IMO and other intergovernmental organizations, as well as non-State actors such as industry and special interest groups, in response to the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to shipping matters.

 

The challenge for IMO is to:

 

.1           be proactive in identifying trends and developments affecting shipping;

 

.2           adopt a comprehensive and inclusive approach to shipping matters;

 

 

 

.3           provide an effective and efficient response to shipping trends, developments and incidents, and in so doing, stave off regional or unilateral tendencies which conflict with the Organization’s regulatory framework; and

 

.4           involve the whole of the IMO membership in the development, formulation, adoption and implementation of policy.

 

Heightened maritime safety concerns

 

2.3       Enhancing maritime safety by ensuring that each link in the chain of responsibility fully meets its obligations is a priority for the maritime community as a whole. Flag, port and coastal States, shipowners, classification societies and other stakeholders all have an important role to play in collectively implementing, maintaining and raising the standards of shipping. Access to information, transparency, and an inclusive approach in developing measures for the uniform and effective implementation of IMO instruments are also critical success factors in enhancing maritime safety.

 

The challenge for IMO is to enhance technical, operational and safety management standards and to eliminate shipping that fails to meet and maintain these standards at all times. A further challenge is to identify and evaluate factors influencing safety culture and to turn them into practical and effective mechanisms for further developing a quality and safety culture throughout the maritime community.

 

Heightened maritime security concerns

 

2.4       The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 sent shock waves throughout the maritime and port community, compelling IMO Member States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations collectively to introduce new measures in the maritime transport sector designed to enhance maritime and port security, prevent and suppress unlawful acts against the safety of maritime navigation and protect against disruptions to global trade, including those to vital shipping lanes. Further terrorist attacks and the advent and ever increasing incidence of piracy have further reinforced the need for such measures. Following the adoption of amendments to SOLAS introducing the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, the measures must be implemented effectively in order to enhance global maritime security. At the same time, security measures must not unduly affect the efficiency of shipping and port operations, the more so in an interconnected world which is so highly dependent on seaborne trade.

 

The challenge for IMO is to promote the effective implementation of the security measures, and to instil a security consciousness in ship and port facility operations, at the same time ensuring that the right balance is struck in trade facilitation and that the flow of seaborne trade continues to be smooth and efficient.

 

Heightened environmental consciousness

 

2.5       The enhancement of a sustainable environmental policy for the shipping industry remains a high profile matter. The heightened concern at the impact of global shipping activities on the environment has given further impetus to efforts by the Organization to develop sustainable and environmentally conscious means of preventing pollution from ships, such as those aimed at reducing atmospheric pollution and addressing climate change and global warming; ensuring the

 

 

preservation of aquatic systems; and preventing the introduction of harmful and polluting substances from ships into the marine environment. Concern for the environment has also extended to concerns over the safest and most effective measures for the recycling of ships, which IMO is also addressing.

 

The challenge for IMO, in line with the global emphasis on sustainable development, is to:

 

.1           be proactive in identifying and addressing shipping activities and incidents that could have an adverse impact on the environment;

 

.2           contribute to international efforts to reduce atmospheric pollution and address climate change and global warming;

 

.3           develop effective responses to shipping incidents in order to mitigate their impact on the environment; and

 

.4           make new ships more environmentally friendly by implementing the “cradle to grave” concept for new ships, whilst further facilitating practicable solutions for the recycling of existing ships.

 

Promoting the efficiency of shipping

 

2.6       With the increase in regulatory measures for safety, security and environmental protection, there is a need to achieve an appropriate balance between the multiple objectives of the Organization – namely, safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans – lest such measures unduly impact on the efficiency of shipping. The development and implementation of measures to promote the efficiency of shipping is essential in order for the shipping industry to continue to serve international maritime transportation and world trade.

 

The challenge for IMO is to further promote and develop measures to facilitate shipping, such as through the reduction of obstacles and the creation of enhanced systems to facilitate seaborne trade, thereby ensuring that the appropriate balance is achieved between safety, security and environmental protection and efficiency of shipping so that the flow of seaborne trade continues to be smooth and efficient.

 

Shifting emphasis onto people

 

2.7       Shortcomings in human performance at all levels in the chain of responsibility are a major cause of incidents. IMO will continue its efforts to address this problem. As IMO strives for full compliance with its instruments, their effectiveness will come under scrutiny with each incident resulting from human error. On the other hand, technological advances will offer new opportunities, which IMO can harness in order to enhance the contribution of the human element to safety, security and environmental protection.

 

The challenge for IMO is to place increased emphasis on the contribution of the human element to safer, more secure and environmentally friendly shipping and continuously to improve measures aimed at enhancing human performance in the maritime industry.

 

 

People at sea

 

2.8       In the context of IMO’s fundamental mission to protect the lives of all those at sea, the advent of passenger ships with capacities of several thousands, the increased use of ferries and high-speed craft on international and domestic services to provide essential national, regional and archipelagic links, the growing number of migrants transported by sea, the continuing incidence of stowaway cases and of piracy and armed robbery and the continuing loss of seafarers’ and fishers’ lives at sea have all heightened the concerns relating to the safety of human life at sea and the success of search and rescue operations in the case of distress, in particular the safe and secure operation of ships and whether current response capabilities are adequate to deal with emergencies.

 

The challenge for IMO is to ensure the adequacy of all systems used in ensuring the safety of life at sea, including those concerned with large concentrations of people, and the implementation of effective measures to address issues of migrants transported by sea, stowaways, piracy and armed robbery against ships.

 

The importance of capacity-building in ensuring universal and uniform application of IMO instruments

 

2.9       The Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme (ITCP) is crucial for assisting developing countries to implement IMO instruments for safer and more secure shipping, enhanced environmental protection and facilitation of international maritime traffic. In addition, the ITCP makes a contribution to assisting developing countries to achieve relevant Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The importance of the ITCP increases further with amendments to existing and the development of new instruments by IMO, in which the particular needs of, and impact on, small island developing States and least developed countries should be taken into account. There are concerns about IMO’s capacity to meet the historical and growing needs of developing countries for technical assistance and, in particular, about the long-term financial sustainability of the ITCP.

 

The challenge for IMO is to ensure an equitable and sustainable means of funding for the ITCP and to improve its delivery and effectiveness.

 

Technology as a major driving force for change in the maritime transport sector

 

2.10     Technological developments have created new opportunities, but may include adverse impacts. New opportunities therefore exist that may encourage development of various IMO initiatives, from safety and security to environmental protection and the facilitation of international maritime traffic. Developments in communications and information technology will provide opportunities to develop knowledge management so as to increase transparency and accessibility to information.

 

The challenge for IMO is to:

 

.1           ensure that the technological developments adopted are conducive, as applicable, to enhancing maritime safety, security, protection of the environment and facilitation of international maritime traffic, and take into account the need for their global application;

 

.2           ensure the proper application of information technology within the Organization and to provide enhanced access to that information for the shipping industry and others; and

 

 

 

.3           ensure that new equipment for use on board ships is designed and manufactured with the needs, skills and abilities of all users in mind.

 

3          Strategic directions

 

Introduction

 

3.1       The strategic directions (SDs) for enabling IMO to achieve its mission objectives in the years ahead can be considered under three broad categories:

 

.1           enhancing the status and effectiveness of the Organization;

 

.2           developing and maintaining a comprehensive framework for safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound shipping; and

 

.3           enhancing the profile of shipping and instilling a quality culture and environmental conscience.

 

3.2       The Organization’s performance in these three categories will be monitored through a series of performance indicators, Key Performance Indicators and performance measurements. The numbers of the applicable indicators are listed for each strategic direction.

 

Enhancing the status and effectiveness of IMO

 

SD 1    IMO is the primary international forum for technical matters of all kinds affecting international shipping and legal matters related thereto. An inclusive and comprehensive approach to such matters will be a hallmark of IMO. In order to maintain that primacy, it            will:

 

.1           further develop its role in maritime affairs vis-а-vis other intergovernmental organizations, so as to be able to deal effectively and comprehensively with complex cross-agency issues;

 

.2           actively engage the various stakeholders – new and existing – in the shipping arena, including non-governmental organizations, industry and the public in general, to ensure a more inclusive approach to decision-making; and

 

.3           actively seek to reap synergies and avoid duplicating efforts made by other UN agencies in shipping matters.

 

The related performance indicators are: 1, 2, 3, 16, 17 and 19

 The related Key Performance Indicators are: G, H, I, J and R

 

SD 2    IMO will foster global compliance with its instruments governing international shipping and will promote their uniform implementation by Member States.

 

The related performance indicators are: 1, 2, 3 and 14

The related Key Performance Indicators are: G, H, I, J, K, L, M and N

 

 

 

SD 3   IMO will strengthen its capacity-building programmes and will focus on:

 

.1           developing capacity-building partnerships with governments, organizations and industry;

 

.2           ensuring the long-term sustainability of the ITCP;

 

.3           contributing to the achievement of the MDGs;

 

.4           meeting the needs of its developing Member States; and

 

.5           improving the delivery, utilization and effectiveness of its technical co-operation programmes.

 

The related performance indicators are: 1, 14 and 15

The related Key Performance Indicators are: G, I, K, L, M, N and O

 

SD 4    Internally, IMO should be able to respond effectively and efficiently to emerging trends, developments, and challenges. It will strive for excellence in governance and management. Besides the Strategic Plan, it will maintain a risk management framework. The Council will provide visionary leadership, Committees will be optimally structured and will be supported by an effective and efficient Secretariat. The Secretariat will be endowed with sufficient resources and expertise to realize the Organization’s work plans within approved biennial appropriations, and the Organization will make effective use of information and communication technology in management and administration.

 

The related performance indicator is: 16

The related Key Performance Indicators are: P and Q

 

Developing and maintaining a comprehensive framework for safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound shipping

 

SD 5    IMO’s highest priority will be the safety of human life at sea. In particular, greater emphasis will be accorded to:

 

.1           ensuring that all systems related to enhancing the safety of human life at sea are adequate, including those concerned with large concentrations of people;

 

.2           enhancing technical, operational and safety management standards;

 

.3           eliminating shipping that fails to meet and maintain these standards on a continuous basis; and

 

.4           increasing the emphasis on the role of the human element in safe shipping.

 

The related performance indicators are: 3, 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13

The related Key Performance Indicators are: A, B, G, H, I and J

 

SD 6    IMO will seek to enhance the security of the maritime transport network, including vital shipping lanes, and to reduce piracy and armed robbery against ships, as well as the frequency of stowaway incidents, by:

 

 

.1 promoting a comprehensive and cooperative approach, both among Member States within the Organization and between IMO and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations;

 

.2           raising awareness of IMO security measures and promoting their effective implementation; and

 

.3           increasing the emphasis on the role of the human element and safeguarding the human rights of seafarers in secure shipping.

 

The related performance indicators are: 6, 7, 11, 12 and 15

The related Key Performance Indicators are: E, F, I, J, N and O

 

SD 7    IMO will focus on reducing and eliminating any adverse impact by shipping on the environment by:

 

.1           identifying and addressing possible adverse impacts;

 

.2           developing effective measures for mitigating and responding to the impact on the environment caused by shipping incidents and operational pollution from ships;

 

.3           contributing to international efforts to reduce atmospheric pollution and address climate change and global warming; and

 

.4           increasing the emphasis on the role of the human element in environmentally sound shipping.

 

The related performance indicators are: 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12

The related Key Performance Indicators are: C, D, I, J, N and O

 

SD 8 IMO will seek to ensure that measures to promote safe, secure and environmentally sound shipping do not unduly affect the efficiency of shipping, including port entry. It will also constantly review such measures to ensure their adequacy, effectiveness and relevance, using the best available tools, and to reduce administrative burdens.

 

The related performance indicators are: 1, 2, 3 and 20

The related Key Performance Indicators are: G and H

 

SD 9 IMO will pay special attention to the shipping needs of small island developing States (SIDS) and the least developed countries (LDCs).

 

The related performance indicator is: 14

The related Key Performance Indicators are: K, L, M, N and O

 

SD 10 IMO will apply goal-based standards for maritime safety.

 

The related performance indicator is: 18

The related Key Performance Indicators are: A and B

 

 

 

Enhancing the profile of shipping, quality culture and environmental conscience

 

SD 11 IMO, in partnership with other stakeholders, will seek to raise the profile of the safety, security and environmental records of shipping in the eyes of civil society by:

 

.1           actively publicizing the vital importance of shipping as a safe, secure and environmentally sound mode of transport for goods and people, and underlining the role of the Organization in that regard; and

 

.2           actively developing its community relations programmes.

 

The related performance indicators are: 4(b), 5(b), 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 and 17(b)

The related Key Performance Indicators are: R, S, T and U

 

SD 12 IMO will take the lead in enhancing the quality of shipping by:

 

.1           encouraging the utilization of the best available techniques not entailing excessive costs, in all aspects of shipping;

 

.2           encouraging proper management of ships;

 

.3           promoting and enhancing the availability of, and access to, information – including casualty information – relating to ship safety and security (i.e. transparency);

 

.4           ensuring that all stakeholders understand and accept their responsibilities regarding safe, secure and environmentally sound shipping by developing a “chain of responsibility concept” among them; and

 

.5           identifying, correlating and evaluating the factors, including human interaction on board ships, that influence safety and security culture, and developing practical and effective mechanisms to address them.

 

The related performance indicators are: 3, 11 and 12

The related Key Performance Indicators are: G, H, I and J

 

SD       13 IMO will seek to enhance environmental conscience within the shipping community.

 

The related performance indicators are: 10, 11 and 12

The related Key Performance Indicators are: I, J, N and O

 

4          Performance indicators, Key Performance Indicators and performance

 

Measurement

 

4.1 The performance indicators in Table 1 have been developed in the context of the Organization’s Mission Statement and on the basis of the Strategic Directions, with the aim of achieving the