Resolution A.1098(29)
Adopted on 2 December 2015
(Agenda item 8)
HIGH-LEVEL ACTION PLAN OF THE ORGANIZATION AND PRIORITIES FOR THE
2016-2017 BIENNIUM
THE ASSEMBLY,
RECALLING the directives contained in resolution A.500(XII)
concerning coordination of the work of the committees by the Council, taking
into account the views of the committees on priorities and their
responsibilities for substantive technical and legal matters,
RECALLING ALSO the directives contained in resolutions:
- A.777(18) on Work methods and organization
of work in Committees and their subsidiary bodies;
- 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 policies and objectives,
and the relevant guidelines of the Council and the committees on
the organization and method of their work,
HAVING ADOPTED resolution A.1097(29) providing the updated Strategic
Plan for the Organization for the six-year period 2016 to 2021,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendations of the Council, at its
twenty-eighth extraordinary session, for the adoption of an updated High-level
Action Plan and related priorities for the 2016-2017 biennium, together with an
associated results-based budget including the Secretariat's Business Plan, both
of which have been prepared on the basis of the Strategic Plan and inputs from
the Maritime Safety Committee, the Legal Committee, the Marine Environment
Protection Committee, the Technical Cooperation Committee, the Facilitation
Committee and the Secretariat,
1 APPROVES the High-level Action Plan of
the Organization and priorities for the 2016-2017 biennium, as set out in the
annex to the present resolution;
2 REQUESTS the Council, the Maritime
Safety Committee, the Legal Committee, the Marine Environment Protection
Committee, the Technical Cooperation Committee and the Facilitation Committee,
when reporting on their work to the Assembly at its thirtieth regular session
and to the Council at its sessions during the 2016-2017 biennium, to ensure that
they report progress towards fulfilling the Organization's aims and objectives
using the framework of the strategic directions, high-level actions and planned
biennial outputs;
3 DIRECTS the Council, the committees
and the Secretariat, when considering proposals for new outputs, to ensure, in
accordance with resolution A.1099(29)
containing the document on the application of the Strategic Plan and the
High-level Action Plan of the Organization and the guidelines on the organization
and method of their work, as appropriate, that the issues to be addressed are
those which fall within the scope of the Strategic Plan and the High-level
Action Plan;
4 ALSO REQUESTS the committees and the
Secretariat, as appropriate and in accordance with resolution A.1099(29), to
submit to the Council for endorsement any new outputs that they may approve
during the 2016-2017 biennium for inclusion in the High-level Action Plan for
that biennium;
5 AUTHORIZES the Council to endorse such
new outputs and to incorporate them into the High-level Action Plan and
priorities for the 2016-2017 biennium, as set out in the annex to the present
resolution;
6 REQUESTS all IMO organs to ensure full
observance of the document contained in resolution A.1099(29), which provides a
uniform basis for the application of the Strategic Plan and the High-level
Action Plan throughout the Organization, and for the strengthening of existing
working practices through the provision of enhanced planning and management
procedures that are flexible, manageable, proportional, transparent and
balanced;
7 UNDERLINES the specific
responsibilities of the chairmen, vice-chairmen and secretaries of the Council,
committees and sub-committees to ensure a consistent and rigorous application
of resolution A.1099(29) and the Guidelines on the organization and method
of work of the respective committees and their subsidiary bodies;
8 EMPHASIZES that the high-level actions
and related outputs, especially those involving amendments to existing
conventions (particularly those which have been in force for a short period),
should take fully into account the directives in resolution A.500(XII), and
that due attention should be given to the requirement that a well-documented
need must be demonstrated for the development and adoption of new or revised
standards;
9 REVOKES resolution A.1061(28).
Annex
HIGH-LEVEL ACTION PLAN OF THE ORGANIZATION AND PRIORITIES FOR THE
2016-2017 BIENNIUM
1 The Organization's
Strategic Plan for the period 2016 to 2021 (resolution A.1097(29)) includes 14 key strategic
directions to enable IMO to achieve its mission objectives. In order for the
Organization to effectively address those strategic objectives, a High-level
Action Plan has been developed which identifies the actions required and
provides the linkage between the Organization's strategy and the work of the
various IMO organs.
2 The High-level
Action Plan thus identifies the high-level actions necessary to achieve the
strategic objectives in the Strategic Plan, as well as the priorities for the
2016-2017 biennium in response to those identified actions.
3 The progress of
the Organization towards fulfilling its aims and objectives will be monitored
against the planned outputs for the biennium.
TABLE 1 STRATEGIC
DIRECTIONS AND CORRESPONDING HIGH-LEVEL ACTIONS (HLAs)
|
No. |
Strategic Direction
|
No. |
High-level Action |
|
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. IMO will actively promote its role as the
primary international forum on matters within its competence and ensure and
strengthen the linkage between safe, secure, efficient and environmentally
friendly maritime transportation, the development of global trade and the
world economy and the realization of new UN development agenda and the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to maintain that primacy, it
will: |
|
|
|
1.1 |
Further develop its role in maritime affairs vis--vis other
intergovernmental and international organizations, so as to be able to deal
effectively and comprehensively with complex cross-agency issues; |
1.1.1 |
Cooperate with the
United Nations on matters of mutual interest, as well as provide relevant input/guidance
|
|
1.1.2 |
Cooperate with
other international bodies on matters of mutual interest, as well as provide
relevant input/guidance |
||
|
1.2 |
Actively engage the
various stakeholders new and existing to ensure a more inclusive approach
to decision-making |
1.2.1 |
Further encourage
the active participation of all stakeholders to achieve the Organization's
mission objectives through consultation and liaison |
|
1.3 |
Actively seek to
reap synergies and avoid duplicating efforts made by other UN agencies in
shipping matters |
1.3.1 |
Consider issues
under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS) relevant to the
role of the Organization |
|
1.3.2 |
Monitor
developments within GESAMP and make full use of the knowledge available and
gained |
||
|
1.3.3 |
Promote
facilitation measures |
||
|
1.3.4 |
Harmonize IMO
instruments with other relevant international instruments, as necessary |
||
|
2 |
IMO will foster
global compliance with its instruments governing international shipping and
will strive for their uniform implementation by Member States |
|
|
|
2.0 |
No strategic
direction details |
2.0.1 |
Monitor and improve conventions, etc.,
and provide interpretation thereof if requested by Member States |
|
2.0.2 |
Implement the IMO
Member State Audit Scheme |
||
|
2.0.3 |
Encourage the
worldwide provision of maritime search and rescue services |
||
|
3 |
With a view to
enhancing its contribution to sustainable development, IMO will strengthen
its maritime capacity-building programmes and will focus on: |
|
|
|
3.1 |
Developing capacity-building
partnerships with governments, organizations and industry |
3.1.1 |
Participate in
environmental programmes with UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, etc. |
|
3.1.2 |
Establish
partnerships with governments, organizations and industry to enhance the
delivery of IMO's capacity-building programmes |
||
|
3.1.3 |
Promote and
strengthen partnerships with global maritime training institutions and
training programmes |
||
|
3.2 |
Ensuring the
long-term sustainability of the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme
(ITCP) |
3.2.1 |
Mobilize and
allocate financial or in-kind resources including the promotion of technical
and economic cooperation among developing countries (TCDC and ECDC) |
|
3.2.2 |
Implement the
approved mechanism to ensure the sustainable financing of the ITCP |
||
|
3.3 |
Contributing to the
realization of the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including
through the development of major projects targeting emerging issues |
3.3.1 |
Maintain, promote
and demonstrate the linkage between the ITCP and the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) |
|
3.4 |
Meeting the needs
of its developing Member States |
3.4.1 |
Identify the
emerging needs of developing States in general and the developmental needs of
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in
particular |
|
3.5 |
Further improving
the delivery, utilization, efficiency and effectiveness of its technical
assistance and cooperation programmes |
3.5.1 |
Consider,
prioritize and implement technical cooperation programmes |
|
3.5.2 |
Strengthen the role
of women in the maritime sector |
||
|
3.5.3 |
Develop new
measures to improve the delivery of technical assistance |
||
|
3.5.4 |
Undertake regular
technical cooperation (TC) impact assessments |
||
|
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.
Within approved biennial appropriations and in accordance with a detailed
Business Plan, the Secretariat will be endowed with sufficient resources and
expertise to realize the Organization's work plans, and the Organization will
make effective use of information and communication technology in management
and administration |
|
|
|
4.0 |
No strategic
direction details |
4.0.1 |
Adopt, implement
and enhance measures for the effective, efficient and transparent management
of the Organization's resources |
|
4.0.2 |
Develop, implement, enhance, support
and manage information systems in support of a knowledge and
information-based Organization |
||
|
4.0.3 |
Identify opportunities to strengthen
management culture, reduce risk and introduce best practice by planning,
developing and implementing organizational reforms |
||
|
4.0.4 |
Maintain a risk
management framework |
||
|
4.0.5 |
Implement and keep
under review working methods and processes |
||
|
5 |
IMO's highest
priority will be the safety of human life at sea. In particular, greater
emphasis will be accorded to: |
|
|
|
5.1 |
Ensuring that all
systems related to enhancing the safety of human life at sea are adequate,
including those concerned with large concentrations of people |
5.1.1 |
Review the adequacy
of passenger ship safety provisions |
|
5.1.2 |
Development and
review of safe evacuation, survival, recovery and treatment of people
following maritime casualties or in case of distress |
||
|
5.1.3 |
Enhance the safety
of navigation in vital shipping lanes |
||
|
5.2 |
Enhancing
technical, operational and safety management standards |
5.2.1 |
Keep under review
the technical and operational safety aspects of all types of ships, including
fishing vessels |
|
5.2.2 |
Development and
review of training and watchkeeping standards and operational procedures for
maritime personnel |
||
|
5.2.3 |
Keep under review
standards for safe handling and carriage by sea of solid and liquid cargoes
carried in bulk and packaged form |
||
|
5.2.4 |
Keep under review
measures to improve navigational safety, including ships' routeing, ship
reporting and monitoring systems, vessel traffic services, requirements and
standards for shipborne navigational aids and systems and long-range identification
and tracking (LRIT) |
||
|
5.2.5 |
Monitor and evaluate the operation of the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) |
||
|
5.2.6 |
Development and
implementation of e-navigation |
||
|
5.3 |
Eliminating
shipping that fails to meet and maintain these standards on a continuous
basis |
5.3.1 |
Keep under review
and support flag, port and coastal State implementation for enhancing and
monitoring compliance |
|
5.4 |
Increasing the
emphasis on the role of the human element in safe shipping |
5.4.1 |
Develop a strategy
for the work related to the role of the human element including the chain of
responsibility in maritime safety |
|
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: |
|
|
|
6.1 |
Promoting a
comprehensive and cooperative approach, both among Member States within the
Organization and between IMO and other intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations |
6.1.1 |
Keep under review
measures (e.g. ISPS Code) to enhance security for ship and port facilities
including the ship/port interface and for shipping lanes of strategic
importance |
|
6.1.2 |
Keep under review
the adequacy of the legal framework to suppress unlawful acts against ships
and fixed platforms through the SUA Convention and its Protocol |
||
|
6.2 |
Raising awareness
of IMO security measures and promoting their effective implementation |
6.2.1 |
Assist developing
countries in their introduction and implementation of effective security
measures |
|
|
|
6.2.2 |
Promulgate
information on prevention and suppression of acts of piracy and armed robbery
against ships |
|
6.2.3 |
Assist developing
countries in their introduction and implementation of effective measures
against piracy and armed robbery against ships |
||
|
6.2.4 |
Assist developing
regions in their introduction and implementation of effective security
measures and measures against piracy and armed robbery against ships |
||
|
6.3 |
Raising awareness of IMO measures
against piracy and armed robbery against ships and promoting their effective
implementation |
6.3.1 |
Actively
participate in work of the Joint IMO/ILO Ad Hoc expert working groups on
issues related to safeguarding the human rights of seafarers |
|
6.3.2 |
Maintain and
implement the strategy for the work related to the role of the human element
including the chain of responsibility in maritime security |
||
|
7 |
IMO will focus on
reducing and eliminating adverse impacts from shipping on the environment by:
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
Identifying and
addressing possible adverse impacts |
7.1.1 |
Monitor pollution
and adverse impact on the marine environment caused by ships |
|
7.1.2 |
Keep under review
measures to reduce adverse impact on the marine environment caused by ships |
||
|
7.1.3 |
Monitor and keep
under review the provision of reception facilities in ports and their
adequacy |
||
|
7.1.4 |
Consider the need
for the development of measures to prevent and control marine pollution from
small craft |
||
|
7.2 |
Developing and facilitating
the implementation of effective measures for mitigating and responding to the
impact on the environment caused by shipping incidents and operational
pollution from ships |
7.2.1 |
Keep under review
the Guidelines on the identification of places of refuge |
|
7.2.2 |
Keep under review
the adequacy of the legal framework |
||
|
7.2.3 |
Foster cooperation
and mutual assistance between Member States under the provisions of the OPRC
Convention and the OPRC-HNS Protocol |
||
|
7.3 |
Contributing to
international efforts to reduce atmospheric pollution and address climate
change |
7.3.1 |
Keep under review
IMO measures to reduce atmospheric pollution |
|
|
|
7.3.2 |
Continue to develop
appropriate measures to address climate change |
|
7.4 |
Increasing the
emphasis on the role of the human element in environmentally sound shipping |
7.4.1 |
Develop a strategy
for the work related to the role of the human element including the chain of
responsibility in marine environment protection |
|
8 |
IMO will seek to
ensure that measures to promote safe, secure and environmentally sound
shipping do not unduly affect the efficiency of shipping. It will also
constantly review such measures to ensure their adequacy, effectiveness and
relevance using the best available tools, thereby securing better regulation
without unnecessary or disproportionate administrative requirements. |
|
|
|
8.0 |
No strategic
direction details |
8.0.1 |
Promote wider
acceptance of the FAL Convention and adoption of measures contained therein,
to assist the FAL Committee's efforts and work towards the universal
implementation of measures to facilitate international maritime traffic |
|
8.0.2 |
Ensure that an
appropriate balance is maintained between measures to enhance maritime
security and measures to facilitate maritime international traffic |
||
|
8.0.3 |
Encourage the use
of information and communication technology to drive continuous improvement
and innovation in the facilitation of maritime traffic |
||
|
8.0.4 |
|
||
|
9 |
IMO will pay
special attention to the shipping needs of Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) |
|
|
|
9.0 |
No strategic
direction details |
9.0.1 |
Identify and
address the special shipping needs of SIDS and LDCs |
|
10 |
IMO will apply
goal-based standards for maritime safety and environmental protection |
|
|
|
10.0 |
No strategic
direction details |
10.0.1 |
Further develop
measures to apply goal-based standards for maritime safety and environmental
protection |
|
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: |
|
|
|
11.1 |
Actively
publicizing the vital importance of shipping as a safe, secure and
environmentally sound mode of transport for goods and people, as well as
promoter and enabler of sustainable development, and underlining the role of
the Organization in that regard |
11.1.1 |
Raise awareness of
the role of international shipping in world trade and the global economy and
the importance of the Organization's role |
|
11.1.2 |
Enhance the image
of the role of the human element in the context of the shipping industry |
||
|
11.2 |
Consequently
further enhancing its public outreach programmes |
11.2.1 |
Actively promote
and encourage the development of community relations programmes |
|
12 |
IMO will take the
lead in enhancing the quality of shipping by: |
|
|
|
12.1 |
Encouraging the
utilization of the best available techniques not entailing excessive costs,
in all aspects of shipping |
12.1.1 |
Use formal safety
assessment techniques in the development of technical standards |
|
12.1.2 |
Use risk-based
tools that take account of costs and the human element in the development of
operational standards |
||
|
12.2 |
Encouraging proper
management of ships |
12.2.1 |
Keep under review
the effectiveness of the ISM Code with regard to safety and protection of the
marine environment |
|
12.3 |
Promoting and
enhancing the availability of, and access to, information including
casualty information relating to ship safety, security and the environment
(i.e. transparency) |
12.3.1 |
Promote and undertake collection and
dissemination of high quality, relevant and timely information to support
analyses and decisions, taking into account related issues of finance and
governance |
|
12.4 |
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 |
12.4.1 |
Raise awareness of
the "chain of responsibility" concept among all stakeholders
through organizations that have consultative status |
|
12.5 |
Identifying,
correlating and evaluating the factors, including human interaction on board
ships, that influence safety, security and environmental culture, and
developing practical and effective mechanisms to address them |
|
No HLA |
|
13 |
IMO will seek to
enhance environmental conscience within the shipping community |
|
|
|
13.0 |
No strategic
direction details |
13.0.1 |
Strengthen
awareness of the need for a continuous reduction of the adverse impact of
shipping on the environment |
|
13.0.2 |
Promote and enhance
the availability of, and access to, information relating to environmental
protection (i.e. transparency) and, in particular, consider the wider
dissemination of information, analyses and decisions, taking account of the
financial implications |
||
|
13.0.3 |
Encourage the use
in shipping of the best available environmental technology not entailing
excessive costs, in line with the goal of sustainable development |
||
|
14 |
IMO will seek to
ensure better regulation through a systematic approach and also that its
instruments are free from administrative requirements that are
disproportionate, obsolete or unnecessary. The Organization will continue its
efforts to reduce administrative burdens in IMO instruments without
compromising safety, security and the protection of the environment. |
|
|
|
14.0 |
No strategic
direction details |
14.0.1 |
Develop and
implement more efficient solutions for those administrative requirements that
are necessary, and remove those administrative requirements that are
unnecessary, disproportionate or obsolete |
TABLE 2 HIGH-LEVEL ACTIONS
(HLAs) AND RELATED OUTPUTS
|
No. |
High-level Action |
Outputs
for 2016-2017 |
||||||
|
No. |
Description |
Parent
organ(s) |
Associated
organ(s) |
Coordinating
organ(s) |
Target
completion year |
|
||
|
1.1.1 |
Cooperate with the United Nations on
matters of mutual interest, as well as provide relevant input/guidance |
1.1.1.1 |
Cooperate with the United Nations on
matters of mutual interest, as well as provide relevant input/guidance |
Assembly |
MSC / MEPC / FAL / LEG / TCC |
Council |
2017 |
|
|
1.1.1.2 |
Consideration of reports on the
application of the joint IMO/ILO Guidelines on the fair treatment of
seafarers and consequential further actions as necessary. |
LEG |
|
|
Annual |
|
||
|
1.1.2 |
Cooperate with other international
bodies on matters of mutual interest, as well as provide relevant
input/guidance |
1.1.2.1 |
Cooperate with other international
bodies on matters of mutual interest, as well as provide relevant
input/guidance |
Assembly |
MSC / MEPC / FAL / LEG / TCC |
Council |
2017 |
|
|
1.1.2.2 |
Response to matters related to the
Radiocommunication ITU R Study Group and ITU World Radiocommunication
Conference |
MSC |
NCSR |
|
Annual |
|
||
|
1.1.2.3 |
Unified interpretation of provisions
of IMO safety, security, and environment-related Conventions |
MSC / MEPC |
III / PPR / CCC / SDC / SSE / NCSR |
|
Continuous |
|
||
|
1.2.1 |
Further encourage the active
participation of all stakeholders to achieve the Organization's mission
objectives through consultation and liaison |
1.2.1.1 |
Agreements of cooperation with IGOs
and approved consultative status for NGOs |
Assembly |
Council |
|
2017 |
|
|
1.3.1 |
Consider issues under the United
Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS) relevant to the role of the
Organization |
1.3.1.1 |
Advice and guidance on issues under
UNCLOS relevant to the role of the Organization |
LEG |
|
|
Annual |
|
|
1.3.2 |
Monitor developments within GESAMP and
make full use of the knowledge available and gained |
|
No outputs against this HLA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.3.3 |
Promote facilitation measures |
1.3.3.1 |
Review the international signs to
provide guidance to persons at marine terminals |
FAL |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
1.3.4 |
Harmonize IMO instruments with other
relevant international instruments, as necessary |
1.3.4.1 |
Amendments to the IAMSAR Manual |
MSC |
NCSR |
|
Continuous |
|
|
1.3.4.2 |
Consider reports on the issue of
financial security in case of abandonment of seafarers, and shipowners'
responsibilities in respect of contractual claims for personal injury to or
death of seafarers, in light of the progress of the amendments to ILO MLC
2006 |
LEG |
|
|
2017 |
|
||
|
2.0.1 |
Monitor and improve conventions, etc.,
and provide interpretation thereof if requested by Member States |
2.0.1.1 |
Amendments to the ESP Code |
MSC |
SDC |
|
Continuous |
|
|
2.0.1.2 |
Revised guidance on ballast water
sampling and analysis |
MEPC |
PPR |
|
2017 |
|
||
|
2.0.1.3 |
Provide advice and guidance on issues
brought to the Committee in connection with implementation of IMO instruments
|
LEG |
|
|
Annual |
|
||
|
2.0.1.4 |
Strategies developed to facilitate
entry into force and harmonized interpretation of the HNS Protocol |
LEG |
|
|
2017 |
|
||
|
2.0.2 |
Implement the IMO Member State Audit
Scheme |
2.0.2.1 |
Analysis of consolidated audit summary
reports |
Assembly |
MSC / MEPC / LEG / TCC / III |
Council |
Annual |
|
|
2.0.2.2 |
Capacity-building aspects of the IMO
Audit Scheme reflected in and implemented through the Integrated Technical
Cooperation Programme (ITCP) |
TCC |
|
|
Continuous |
|
||
|
2.0.3 |
Encourage the worldwide provision of
maritime search and rescue services |
2.0.3.1 |
Further development of the provision
of global maritime SAR services |
MSC |
NCSR |
|
2017 |
|
|
2.0.3.2 |
Guidelines on harmonized aeronautical
and maritime search and rescue procedures, including SAR training matters |
MSC |
NCSR |
|
2017 |
|
||
|
2.0.3.3 |
Revised guidelines for preparing plans
for cooperation between search and rescue services and passenger ships (MSC.1/Circ.1079)
|
MSC |
NCSR |
|
2017 |
|
||
|
3.1.1 |
Participate in environmental programmes
with UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, etc. |
3.1.1.1 |
Analysis and consideration of reports
on partnership arrangements for, and implementation of, environmental
programmes |
TCC |
MEPC |
|
Annual |
|
|
3.1.2 |
Establish partnerships with
governments, organizations and industry to enhance the delivery of IMO's
capacitybuilding programmes |
3.1.2.1 |
Analysis and consideration of reports
on implementation of resolution A.965(23) on Development and improvement of
partnership arrangements for technical cooperation |
TCC |
|
|
Annual |
|