WMU's Response to a Sustainable Planet
As part of their specialization studies, on 22-23 June, students in the Malmö MSc programme participated in the seminar entitled “WMU's Response to a Sustainable Planet.” Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the seminar was delivered via video conferencing.
Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, opened the seminar and commended the students for their ongoing diligence and good spirit in pursuing their studies despite the unusual circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized the importance of remaining focused on achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) despite the challenges posed by the pandemic saying, “It would be a pity if we fell back on this importantly critical Agenda. Sustainability is our main focus at WMU and all of our programmes contribute to it. The maritime sector is often reduced to SDG 14 only. However, sustainability is a wider concept and WMU is actively working to link our programmes to different aspects of a number of UN SDGs including Goals 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16 and 17.”
Within the two-day seminar, WMU faculty addressed the reduction of emissions and how WMU contributes through the Maritime Energy Management specialization and other programmes; the contribution of ship management from an economic perspective; an ocean perspective on the negotiations underway relating to a treaty on Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ); and the importance of the human resource sector – seafarers. Additionally, Dr. Jose Matheickal, Chief, Department of Partnerships and Projects for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) addressed sustainability projects at IMO.
"Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet" is the 2020 World Maritime Day theme providing an opportunity to raise awareness of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and showcase the work that the IMO and its member States are undertaking to achieve the targets.
To learn more about WMU’s contribution to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, click here.