Three weeks ago, CIFAL Flanders was invited to attend the official launch of the World Ports Sustainability Program on 22 and 23 March 2018 in Antwerp. The World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP) is based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program was initiated by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and developed in cooperation with regional and international port-related organisations. The WPSP aims to demonstrate global leadership of ports in shaping a truly sustainable supply chain for the future and assists ports worldwide in creating sustainable added value for the communities and wider regions in which they are embedded. With WPSP, global ports are focusing on five themes in order to coordinate future sustainability efforts: future-proof infrastructure, climate and energy, societal integration, safety and security, and governance and ethics.
Thursday 22 March 2018
The two-day event was opened by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians with a keynote address in which she underlined the important role that ports play in achieving the SDGs, which are at the core of WPSP. IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim referred to the platform that IMO is offering for more collaboration between shipowners, ports, maritime administrations and other stakeholders. Afterwards roundtable discussions followed and the founding partners signed the WPSP declaration. Through the Declaration, partner organisations endorse the SDGs, confirm their commitment to contribute to the Goals and endorse the mission and objectives of the WPSP.
Friday 23 March 2018
On the second day of the event, there were workshops to dive into the main themes of the WPSP, such as climate & energy, resilient infrastructure and governance & ethics. These sessions set the scene for the role that the ports will play regarding the implementation of the SDGs the coming years. Our teammembers Jan Beyne and Linne Van den Brande moderated workshops on community outreach & port-city dialogue and on governance & ethics, respectively.
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