To mark World Oceans Day, which is celebrated on 8 June, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is calling on its 176 Member States and the global shipping industry to step up the implementation of measures to protect the marine environment.

In a video message to mark World Oceans Day, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez said:

“At the IMO, we take our responsibility to protect the oceans very seriously. As shipping is one of the main users of the ocean space, this is why we are focusing on improving our regulatory framework to reduce pollution and tackle new challenges, such as radiated underwater noise and transboundary species.”

“Beyond setting the rules, we must put policy into practice,” he added, echoing the theme of the IMO’s World Maritime Day for 2026–2027: “From policy to practice: driving maritime excellence”.

The IMO’s regulatory framework for the protection of the oceans
Over many decades, the IMO has established a robust set of international instruments to prevent pollution, protect marine life and support safer and more sustainable shipping.

Global treaties such as the MARPOL Convention on the prevention of marine pollution from ships, the Ballast Water Management Convention and the Convention on Anti-fouling Systems to limit the spread of invasive aquatic species, the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling, and the London Convention and Protocol on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea, all contribute to safeguarding the marine environment.

Progress on pollution, biodiversity and climate action

• Tackling marine plastic waste
  Adoption of the 2026 Strategy and Action Plan to tackle marine plastic litter from ships, reaffirming the IMO’s target of zero discharges of plastic waste into the sea from ships by 2030.

• Reduction of underwater radiated noise (URN)

Extension until 2028 of the trial phase for the revised IMO Guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse effects on marine life (URN Guidelines), with plans to commission a study from the IMO to serve as a basis for future measures.

• Combating biofouling on ships

Agreement between Member States to develop an independent, legally binding instrument for the control and management of biofouling on ships, with the aim of minimising the transfer of invasive aquatic species and protecting biodiversity.

• The link between climate and the oceans

Ongoing discussions on regulations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships.

News and image obtained: "Organización Marítima Internacional"

https://www.imo.org/es/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/world-ocean-day-2028-policy-to-practice.aspx