The IMarEST holds an extremely privileged position of having formal recognition across a range of intergovernmental organisations at a level unrivalled by similar organisations of our kind.

These include:

• Non-governmental organisation with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
  
  
• Observer status with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
  
  
• Observer status with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
  
  
• Observer status with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  
  
• Observer status with the London Convention / London Protocol
  
  
• Observer status with the Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP)
  
  
• Special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), which facilitates our access to other international meetings where our specialised marine expertise is of particular use e.g. the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) informal consultative process, the United Nations meetings on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, and the work of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on marine mining.

IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. IMarEST members can access submissions to IMO in the IMarEST Digital Archive.

The submissions cover technical inputs to the principal IMO committees on Maritime Safety and Marine Environmental Protection and the associated sub-committees. Papers are added immediately following the conclusion of the relevant meeting.

Please ensure you are logged in to the IMarEST website as member, before clicking on the following links:

• All submissions to IMO by Year
• Submissions to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)
• Submissions to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)
• Submissions to Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases
• Submissions to the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping
• Submissions to the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response
• Submissions to the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment
• Submissions to the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping

In June 2017, the UN held the Ocean Conference – a high-level event aimed to support the implementation of SDG14 ‘life below water’. The conference marked a global breakthrough, with over 1,400 voluntary commitments pledged by governments, the UN system, civil society organisations, academia, the scientific community and the private sector. Each commitment focuses on one or several of the SDG 14 targets.

The IMarEST is committed to the provision and implementation of these sustainable development goals as part of its strategic plan. The development, management and ongoing sustainability of the marine environment, alongside knowledge sharing and capacity building as a means by which to facilitate the prosperity of the marine environment, are held at the core of the IMarEST’s mission and vision. As such, given the strong value it places on supporting the marine sector, the IMarEST made two voluntary commitments at the Ocean Conference to support the implementation of the SDG 14 targets:

IMarEST voluntary commitments

Improving recruitment and retention of young people into the marine sector to ensure protection of the oceans for future generations

• DELIVERABLE 1: To make IMarEST membership free to any student over the age of 18 enrolled in a recognised course at a recognised institution
• DELIVERABLE 2: To provide student members with information and guidance on professional development

Working to protect the environment from harmful organisms transferred through ballast water or on hulls

• DELIVERABLE 1: Publish a position paper on the environmental, economic and social impacts of aquatic invasive species associated with vessels hull fouling
• DELIVERABLE 2: Conduct a study based on the existing regulations on in-water cleaning
• DELIVERABLE 3: Produce a series of five guidance documents supporting the implementation of the BMW convention and IMO Biofouling Guidelines

Our progress to achieving these voluntary commitments, can be found in the reports published below:

• pdf IMarEST commitments to UN SDG14 Year 1 Report (845 KB)