(NEWS) World Maritime University and UN Environment step up cooperation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

March

2017

World Maritime University and UN Environment step up cooperation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr Erik Solheim, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of the World Maritime University (WMU) on 22 March.

President Doumbia-Henry hailed the signing of the MOU stating: “This arrangement with UN Environment is a milestone as it is the leading United Nations agency with competence in the field of the environment. WMU is pleased to establish this partnership with UN Environment. As the preeminent post-graduate academic institution of the United Nations system and, in particular of the International Maritime Organization, we are pleased to engage with UN Environment to strengthen our partnership to ensure that the capacity of countries around the world is built to implement the UN SDGs. Educating current and future generations of leaders and experts on maritime and environmental affairs from both the North and the South, developed and developing countries is our mission and objective.”

Mr. Solheim said "Education is where we build the foundations of successfully achieving our common goals. It's crucial that we both inspire and equip future generations so they can safeguard our planet. We need to build not only our scientific capacity to identify the challenges, but also our collective ability to innovate, act and measure our progress."

WMU has the mandate to educate, train, undertake research and build capacity of maritime and ocean stakeholders on maritime and oceans affairs and in doing so to support them to implement the relevant Goals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the framework of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. WMU has already implemented the first steps to assist member States in their plans especially for, goal 7 related to sustainable energy for all, goal 13 regarding climate change, and goal 14 related to the Oceans.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority, leading the global efforts in conservation, protection and restoration of nature and its resources, including biological diversity.

The agreement recognizes the common objectives of the organizations and provides for regular dialogue and meetings between the parties with particular focus on marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management, regional seas and regional ocean governance, blue economy growth including marine and maritime energy, marine and coastal ecosystems, marine pollution including marine litter, as well as environment and maritime education.

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My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

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Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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