Improve safety at sea and safeguard marine environments.

World Oceans Day



The world’s oceans are a vital source of food, energy and biodiversity. They play a central role in regulating the planet’s climate. However, they are under increasing pressure from pollution, overexploitation, habitat degradation and climate change.

Every day, those vast expanses are traversed by a wide variety of vessels, from cargo ships and fishing boats to pleasure craft and passenger ferries. Modern communication technologies are essential for the safe, secure and efficient operation of all vessels at sea, which is fundamental to protecting the fragile marine environment.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been continually improving maritime radiocommunication systems since the early 1900s.

Today, as the United Nations agency for digital technologies, ITU still meets the ever-evolving needs of the maritime community. Whenever governments, the shipping industry, engineers or mariners identify a new technical or operational requirement, ITU is there to address it with global expertise and cooperation.

As a forum for creating harmonized standards, ITU helps introduce new and emerging technologies that benefit everyone. This also means countries and companies can harness ocean opportunities in a sustainable manner.

Furthermore, cooperation through ITU and its sister UN agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is crucial to improve safety at sea and safeguard marine environments.



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