Resolution
A.971(24)
HIGH-LEVEL ACTION PLAN OF THE ORGANIZATION AND PRIORITIES FOR THE 2006-2007
BIENNIUM
(Adopted on 30 November 2005)
THE
ASSEMBLY,
RECALLING
the directives contained in resolution A.500(XII) concerning co-ordination 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 resolution A.777(18) concerning the work
methods and organization of work in the Committees and their subsidiary bodies;
resolution A.900(21) concerning the objectives of the Organization in the
2000s; and resolution A.901(21) concerning Technical Co-operation in the 2000s,
RECALLING
FURTHER resolution A.970(24) by which it approved the Strategic Plan for the
Organization for the six-year period 2006 to 2011,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendation of the Council at its ninety-third session to
discontinue the Organization’s Long-term Work Plan,
HAVING
CONSIDERED ALSO the proposals of the Council, at its twenty-third extraordinary
session, for the adoption of a high-level action plan and related priorities
for the 2006-2007 biennium, which have been prepared on the basis of the
Strategic Plan taking into account input from the Maritime Safety Committee,
the Legal Committee, the Marine Environment Protection Committee, the Technical
Co-operation Committee and the Facilitation Committee:
1.
ENDORSES the decision of the Council to discontinue the preparation of the
Organization’s Long-term Work Plan comprising an indicative list of subjects
for consideration by the Organization, as a consequence of the adoption of the
Strategic Plan and the high-level action plan;
2.
APPROVES the high-level action plan and priorities for the 2006-2007 biennium
as set out in the annex to the present resolution;
3.
REQUESTS the Council, the Maritime Safety Committee, the Legal Committee, the
Marine Environment Protection Committee, the Technical Co-operation Committee
and the Facilitation Committee, when reporting on their work to the Assembly at
its twenty-fifth regular session, to report progress towards fulfilling the
Organization’s aims and objectives using the framework of the high-level
actions and planned biennial outcomes;
4.
FURTHER REQUESTS all the Committees, when considering proposals for new work
programme items, to ensure that the issues to be addressed are those which fall
within the scope of the Strategic Plan;
5.
ALSO REQUESTS all the Committees to review their guidelines for the
organization and method of their work and, as appropriate, that of their
subsidiary bodies, in order to require that submissions for new work programme
items include an indication of how they relate to the scope of the Strategic
Plan;
6.
EMPHASIZES that the high-level action plan 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 compelling need must be demonstrated for
the development and adoption of new or revised standards;
7.
REITERATES ITS REQUEST to the Council and all the Committees, when making
recommendations for their work programmes 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;
8.
REVOKES resolution A.943(23).
Annex.
HIGH-LEVEL ACTION PLAN OF THE ORGANIZATION AND PRIORITIES FOR THE 2006-2007
BIENNIUM
1.
The Organization’s Strategic Plan for the period 2006 to 2011 (resolution
A.970(24)) includes thirteen key strategic directions for enabling 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 Committees.
2.
The high-level action plan is presented in two parts:
Part 1:
identifies the high-level actions necessary to achieve the strategic objectives
in the Strategic Plan;
Part 2:
identifies the priorities for the 2006-2007 biennium in response to those
identified actions.
3.
The progress of the Organization towards fulfilling its aims and objectives
will be monitored through the series of performance indicators in the Strategic
Plan and also by monitoring the Committees’ progress against their planned
output for the biennium.
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Strategic Direction from resolution A.944(23) |
High-level actions |
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1 |
IMO
is the primary international forum for technical matters affecting
international shipping |
.1 |
Further
develop its role in maritime affairs vis-à-vis other intergovernmental
organizations, so as to be able to deal effectively and comprehensively with
complex cross-agency issues |
.1
.2 |
Take
the lead and actively promote its role as the primary international forum on
matters within its purview Co-operate
with the United Nations and other international bodies on matters of mutual
interest |
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|
|
.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 |
.1 |
Further
encourage the active participation of all stakeholders to achieve the
Organization’s mission objectives through consultation and liaison |
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|
.3 |
Actively
seek to reap synergies and avoid duplication of efforts made by other UN
agencies in shipping matters |
.1 .2 .3 .4
.5 |
Consider
issues under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention relevant to the
role of the Organization Follow
up the activities of UNCED and WSSD, including prevention of marine pollution
from offshore oil and gas activities Monitor
developments within GESAMP and make full use of the knowledge available and
gained Promote
facilitation measures Harmonize
IMO instruments with other relevant international instruments, as necessary |
|
2 |
IMO
will foster global compliance with its instruments governing international
shipping and will promote their uniform implementation by Member States |
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|
.1
.2
.3 |
Monitor
and improve conventions, etc. and provide interpretation thereof if requested
by Member States Encourage
and support implementation of the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme Encourage
the worldwide provision of maritime search and rescue services |
|
3 |
IMO
will strengthen its capacity-building programmes |
.1 |
Developing
capacity-building partnerships with governments, organizations and industry |
.1
.2
.3 |
Participate
in environmental programmes with UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, etc. Establish
partnerships with governments, organizations and industry to enhance the
delivery of IMO’s capacity-building programmes Promote
and strengthen partnerships with global maritime training institutions and
training programmes |
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|
|
.2 |
Ensuring
the long-term sustainability of the ITCP |
.1
.2 |
Mobilize
and allocate financial or in-kind resources including the promotion of
technical and economic co-operation among developing countries (TCDC and
ECDC) Establish
an equitable mechanism to ensure the sustainable financing of the ITCP |
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|
|
.3 |
Meeting
the emerging needs of its developing Member States |
.1 |
Establish
arrangements at HQ and in developing regions to identify the emerging needs
of developing States in general and the developmental needs of SIDS and LDCs
in particular |
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|
|
.4 |
Improving
the delivery, utilization and effectiveness of its technical co-operation
programmes |
.1
.2
.3
.4 |
Consider
and prioritize the ITCP Strengthen
the role of women in the maritime sector Develop
new measures to deliver technical assistance Undertake
regular TC impact assessments |
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Strategic Direction from resolution A.944(23) |
High-level actions |
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4 |
Internally,
IMO should be able to respond effectively and efficiently to emerging trends,
developments, and challenges. It will strive for excellence in institutional
governance and management |
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|
.1 .2 .3 .4 |
Ensure
that the Organization, within agreed appropriations, uses its resources
efficiently and effectively Create
a knowledge and information-based Organization through improved management
and dissemination of information, making use of appropriate technology Enhance
transparency in the Organization’s operations Keep
under review working methods and processes |
|
5 |
IMO’s
highest priority will be the safety of human life at sea |
.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 |
.1 .2 |
Review
adequacy of passenger ship safety provisions Development
and review of safe evacuation, survival, recovery and treatment of people
following maritime casualties or in case of distress |
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|
|
.2 |
Enhancing
technical, operational and safety management standards |
.1 .2 .3 .4 .5 |
Keep
under review the technical and operational safety aspects of all types of
ships, including fishing vessels Development
and review of training and watchkeeping standards and operational procedures
for maritime personnel Keep
under review standards for safe handling and carriage by sea of solid and
liquid cargoes carried in bulk and packaged form Keep
under review measures to improve navigational safety, including ships’
routeing, ship reporting systems, vessel traffic services, requirements and
standards for shipborne navigational aids and systems Monitor
the operation of the global maritime distress and safety system |
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|
.3 |
Eliminating
shipping that fails to meet and maintain these standards on a continuous
basis |
.1 |
Keep
under review flag and port State procedures for the control of ships |
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|
.4 |
Increasing
the emphasis on the role of the human element in safe shipping |
.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 |
.1 |
Promoting
a comprehensive and co-operative approach, both among Member States within
the Organization and between the IMO and other intergovernmental and
nongovernmental organizations |
.1 .2 |
Keep
under review measures (e.g. ISPS Code) to enhance security for ships and port
facilities including the ship/port interface and shipping lanes of strategic
importance 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 |
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|
|
.2 |
Raising
awareness of IMO security measures and promoting their effective
implementation |
.1 .2 |
Promulgate
information on prevention and suppression of acts of piracy and armed robbery
against ships Assist
developing regions in their introduction and implementation of effective
security measures and measures against piracy and armed robbery against ships |
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|
|
.3 |
Increasing
the emphasis on the role of the human element and safeguarding the human
rights of seafarers in secure shipping |
.1 .2 |
Actively
participate in work of the Joint IMO/ILO Ad Hoc Expert Working Groups on
issues related to safeguarding the human rights of seafarers Develop
a strategy for the work related to the role of the human element in maritime
security |
|
7 |
IMO
will focus on reducing and eliminating any adverse impact of shipping on the
environment |
.1 |
Identifying
and addressing possible adverse impacts |
.1 .2 .3 .4 |
Monitor
pollution and adverse impact on the marine environment caused by ships and
their cargoes Keep
under review measures to reduce adverse impact on the marine environment by
ships and their cargoes Monitor
and keep under review the provision of reception facilities in ports and
their adequacy Consider
the need for the development of measures to prevent and control marine
pollution from small craft |
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Strategic Direction from resolution A.944(23) |
High-level actions |
|||
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|
.2 |
Developing
effective measures for mitigating and responding to the impact on the
environment caused by shipping incidents and operational pollution from ships |
.1 .2 .3 |
Keep
under review the guidelines on the identification of places of refuge Keep
under review the adequacy of the legal framework Foster
co-operation and mutual assistance between Member States under the provisions
of the OPRC Convention and OPRC-HNS Protocol |
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|
.3 |
Increasing
the emphasis on the role of the human element in environmentally sound
shipping |
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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 |
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|
.1 .2 .3 |
Promote
wider acceptance of the FAL Convention and adoption of measures contained
therein, to work towards the universal implementation of measures to
facilitate international maritime traffic Ensure
that an appropriate balance is maintained between measures to enhance
maritime security and measures to facilitate international maritime traffic Encourage
the use of information and communication technology to drive continuous
improvement and innovation in the facilitation of maritime traffic |
|
9 |
IMO
will pay special attention to the shipping needs of small island developing
States (SIDS) and the least developed countries (LDC) |
|
|
.1 |
Identify
the developmental needs of SIDS and LDCs |
|
10 |
IMO
will establish goal-based standards for the design and construction of new
ships |
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|
.1 |
Develop
goal-based standards for the design and construction of new ships |
|
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 |
.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 |
.1 |
Raise
awareness of the role of international shipping in world trade and the global
economy and the importance of the Organization’s role |
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|
.2 |
Actively
developing its community relations programmes |
.1 |
Actively
promote and encourage the development of community relations programmes |
|
12 |
IMO
will take the lead in enhancing quality of shipping |
.1 |
Encouraging
the utilization of the best available techniques not entailing excessive
costs, in all aspects of shipping |
.1 .2 |
Use
formal safety assessment techniques in the development of technical standards Use
risk-based tools that take account of costs and the human element in the
development of operational standards |
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|
.2 |
Encouraging
proper management of ships |
.1 |
Keep
under review the effectiveness of the ISM Code with regard to safety and protection
of the marine environment |
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|
.3 |
Promoting
and enhancing the availability of, and access to, information – including
casualty information – relating to ship safety and security (i.e.
transparency) |
.1 |
Consider
the wider dissemination of information, analyses and decisions, taking
account of the financial implications |
|
|
|
.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 |
.1 |
Raise
awareness of the ‘chain of responsibility’ concept among all stakeholders
through organizations that have consultative status |
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Strategic Direction from resolution A.944(23) |
High-level actions |
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|
.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 |
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|
13 |
IMO
will seek to enhance environmental consciousness within the shipping community |
.1 |
Strengthening
awareness of the need for a continuous reduction of the adverse impact of
shipping on the environment |
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|
.2 |
Promoting
and enhancing the availability of, and access to, information relating to
environmental protection (i.e. transparency) |
|
Consider
the wider dissemination of information, analyses and decisions, taking
account of the financial implications |
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|
.3 |
Encouraging
the use in shipping of the best available environmental technology not
entailing excessive costs, in line with the goal of sustainable development |
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PART 2.
Priorities for the 2006-2007 biennium
|
High-level actions |
Planned output of the Committees –
2006-2007 |
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Enhance
status and effectiveness of IMO |
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1.1.1 |
Take
the lead and actively promote its role as the primary international forum on
matters within its purview |
Note:
Outputs of the Committees meeting this high-level action are tabulated
against the most relevant high-level actions Draft
convention on wreck removal |
|
1.1 |
Co-operate
with the United Nations and other international bodies on matters of mutual
intest |
Policy
input to ITU-R study group 8 Policy
input to ITU re: radiocommunication issues Policy
input to ILO re: seafarer issues Policy
input to IHO re: hydrographic matters and promotion of ENCs covering various
parts of the globe Policy
input to WMO re: meteorological matters Policy
input to ICAO re: GNSS and SAR issues Policy
input to IMO/FAO Working Group on IUU fishing and related matters Policy
input to IALA re: VTS, aids to navigation and AIS matters Policy
input to ISO TC 8 for development of industry consensus standards Guidelines
in conjunction with ILO on fair treatment of seafarers Policy
input on implementation of IMO guidelines on provision of financial security
in case of abandonment of seafarers, and IMO guidelines on shipowners’
responsibilities in respect of contractual claims for personal injury to or
death of seafarers Policy
input to the IMO/ILO/Basel Convention Working Group on ship recycling PSSA
charting methods and symbols in co-operation with IHO Formalized
emergency arrangements with IAEA for response to nuclear/radiological
emergencies from ships, including IMO contribution to next version of the
"Joint Radiation Emergency Management Plan of the International
Organizations" Policy
input to the UN Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods for the harmonization of
inter-modal transport of dangerous goods Policy
input to the IMO/FAO Working Group on IUU fishing and related marine
litter/garbage issues (MARPOL Annex V) Policy
input to the GMA process Policy
input to the GHS (Global Harmonized System) for classification of chemical
substances Policy
input to a proposed new GESAMP and evaluation of bulk chemicals by the
GESAMP-EHS Working Group A conceptual linkage between the goals of the ITCP
and the Millenium Development Goals Policy
input to UNECE and UNCEFACT: trade facilitation and electronic transmission
of information-related matters Policy
input to WCO: clearance of ships, persons and cargoes; and security of supply
chain-related matters Policy
input to UNODC/WCO: prevention and control of illicit drug
trafficking-related matters |
|
1.2.1 |
Further
encourage the active participation of all stakeholders to achieve the
Organization’s mission objectives through consultation and liaison |
Reports
on results of consultation and liaison |
|
1.3.1 |
Consider
issues under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention relevant to the
role of the |
Identification
of PSSAs, taking into account Article 211 and other related articles of
UNCLOS |