Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday said the International Maritime Organization (IMO), while achieving net zero vision, will safeguard interests of all member states and promote to ensure access to critical technologies and know-how for developing countries.

"As a category-C Council Member of IMO, Bangladesh will remain engaged with advancing this vision on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities," he said.

The Foreign Secretary was speaking at a programme at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez Velasco delivered a lecture on "Towards a Net Zero Shipping 2050: IMO’s Vision for a Just and Equitable Transition".

Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam also spoke.

Dominguez said the decision of which technology is to be installed on a ship is a commercial decision and there is nothing for them to decide.

“We make sure that our regulations do not restrict technological development and innovation,” he said.

The IMO SG said countries like Bangladesh, are very much affected by climate change and the trajectory is just that it will continue to increase. “So, doing nothing is not an option.”

He said everything moves around the world by ships and they continue to be the most efficient mode of mass transportation. “We don't always get the recognition and appreciation that we deserve.”

The revised IMO GHG Strategy, adopted at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative check-points for international shipping to reach net-zero GHG emissions for 2030 (by at least 20%, striving for 30%) and 2040 (by at least 70%, striving for 80%). 

While formulating maritime related national policies, strategies and guidelines, Bangladesh would remain mindful of IMO’s policy, guidelines and frameworks, said the Foreign Secretary.

International shipping keeps the world’s economy afloat, carrying 80% of all global trade from port to port.

"This causes emitting substantial greenhouse gases along the way. It is expected that the maritime trade volumes set to triple by 2050, consequently the emission will also rise if the industry fails to ensure corrective measures," Masud Momen said.

Industry leaders have already started working on climate friendly fuel options and fuel efficiency, he said.

IMO SG Arsenio Dominguez Velasco, who was elected as the Secretary-General of the IMO in January, is now in Dhaka on a four-day official visit. Bangladesh is the first Asian country he is visiting after taking office.

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK and Permanent Representative to the IMO Saida Muna Tasneem, DG Shipping Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam and other senior officials of the Shipping Ministry received IMO SG at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday evening.

Dominguez would also be visiting Bangladesh’s maritime and port infrastructure as well as Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry and would be taking a guard of honour at Bangladesh Marine Academy by Bangladesh cadet seafarers on the occasion of Bangladesh’s observance of International Day of Seafarers.

Bangladesh was elected to the IMO Council category C last year for a year-year term and has been playing an active and visible role at the IMO to promote the interest of LDCs, SIDS and LLDCs for their transition to greener shipping and to promote an environmentally safe and sustainable global shipping industry.

Last year June Bangladesh ratified the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.

"We look forward to IMO’s continued support in achieving compliance of our recycling yards with the provisions of the convention," Masud Momen said.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed ITLOS’s recent unanimous advisory opinion where the Tribunal affirmed its jurisdiction and obligates States to take necessary measures to prevent, reduce and control pollution from any sources including GHG emissions.

He said, under IMO SG leadership, IMO and member states would be able to achieve substantial progress in this direction through meaningful and effective interaction cooperation.

"We owe it to our next generation that comprises the majority of our audience today," said the Foreign Secretary.