Georgia joins global roundtable supporting sustainable maritime transport
Participants of the inaugural meeting looked for concrete opportunities to help accelerate global financing for sustainable shipping, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Permanent Representative of Georgia to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Tamar Beruchashvili joined the first global roundtable on financing sustainable maritime transport (FIN-SMART) today.
The FIN-SMART Roundtable is a platform for regular dialogue among key maritime stakeholders on addressing the financial challenges related to the ‘transition of shipping to a more sustainable and resilient future’.
The roundtable aimed to support accelerating financial flows - particularly in developing countries - for the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, in line with country priorities and the goals of the IMO Initial Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships.
#Georgia ???????? joined 1st the FIN-SMART Roundtable-new platform for regular dialogue of key #maritime stakeholders to address financial challenges related to transition of shipping to a more #sustainable &resilient future.THY to #IMO & @EBRD teams! @IMOHQ @MTA_Georgia @agenda_ge pic.twitter.com/4dSqygbTk0
— Tamar Beruchashvili - თამარ ბერუჩაშვილი (@tberuch) October 27, 2020
In his remarks, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim highlighted the importance of maritime transport in the global economy ‘as an engine of growth and a driver of social development’.
He further called for strong support to accelerate finance for sustainable maritime transport, in particular in decarbonisation and sustainable recovery post COVID-19 pandemic.
These will be only possible with targeted investment and strategic partnerships, particularly addressing special needs of developing countries, LDCs and SIDS,” he said.
Participants of the inaugural meeting looked for concrete opportunities to help accelerate global financing for sustainable shipping, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Priorities and investment opportunities across the maritime supply chain, as well as addressing barriers to financial flows and harnessing support for country reform efforts have been identified among the options.
Global Transport Manager at the World Bank Binyam Reja said ‘shipping is not only a cornerstone to international trade, but it is also key to sustainable development’.
By helping unlock sustainable maritime investment and finance, FIN-SMART will both promote the decarbonization of the sector and create in-country business opportunities and jobs”, he said.
Over 50 senior officials who participated in the inaugural meeting included representatives from IMO, EBRD and the World Bank Group as well as participants from the maritime industry, donor countries and other States.
The FIN-SMART Roundtable will meet regularly promising to bring in additional important stakeholders to the discussions.