Karachi: Pakistan Navy celebrated World Maritime Day 2024 on September 26 with a special focus on the theme ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First’. The event highlighted the 50th anniversary of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, a pivotal treaty that has been instrumental in regulating maritime safety since its adoption in 1974.

According to Pakistan Navy, this year’s World Maritime Day commemoration not only celebrated the key milestone of the SOLAS Convention but also aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme emphasized the importance of maritime safety, security, and environmental protection, with a particular focus on SDG-7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, in his message, highlighted the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to safety and sustainable maritime practices. He stressed the importance of aligning national objectives with global shifts towards sustainable and green maritime activities. Admiral Ashraf’s message underscored the Navy’s ongoing efforts to prioritize safety on all seagoing platforms and ashore, reflecting its commitment to the ‘safety first’ principle.

The Pakistan Navy organized various activities across the country to mark the occasion and boost maritime awareness. These included seminars held at the Pakistan Navy War College in Lahore, under the auspices of the Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCE) and the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA). Additionally, a Maritime Gala was held at the Pakistan Maritime Museum, along with awareness walks, the display of banners and panaflexes, maritime awareness lectures at Bahria Colleges and Universities, and essay competitions at Field Commands. These events were designed to enhance public understanding of the maritime sector’s role in economic development and environmental sustainability.