Strategic Plan for the Organization

The IMO Assembly, which meets every two years, adopts the Strategic Plan for the Organization, which covers a six-year period.

Revised Strategic Plan for the Organization for the six-year period 2018 to 2023 

The Revised Strategic Plan for the Organization for the six-year period 2018 to 2023 (resolution A.1149(32))*  sets out:

  • the mission statement, which states: "The mission of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as a United Nations specialized agency, is to promote safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping through cooperation. This will be accomplished by adopting the highest practicable standards of maritime safety and security, efficiency of navigation and prevention and control of pollution from ships, as well as through consideration of the related legal matters and effective implementation of IMO instruments, with a view to their universal and uniform application."

  • the vision statement, which states: "IMO will uphold its leadership role as the global regulator of shipping, promote greater recognition of the sector's importance and enable the advancement of shipping, while addressing the challenges of continuing developments in technology and world trade and the need to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development"; "To achieve this, IMO will focus on the review, development and implementation of and compliance with IMO instruments in its pursuit to proactively identify, analyze and address emerging issues and support Member States in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

  • the overarching principles, which should be taken into account in all of the Organization's work;

  • the Strategic Directions:

    • SD 1 Improve implementation

    • SD 2 Integrate new and advancing technologies in the regulatory framework

    • SD 3 Respond to climate change

    • SD 4 Engage in ocean governance

    • SD 5 Enhance global facilitation and security of international trade

    • SD 6 Address the human element

    • SD 7 Ensure regulatory effectiveness

    • SD 8 Ensure organizational effectiveness

  • the performance indicators for measuring the Organization's performance against the strategic directions; and

  • the list of outputs that are planned to be delivered by the Organization over a two-year period, thereby providing the linkage between the Organization's strategy, the work of the various IMO organs and the budget.

*This resolution updates the Strategic Plan for the Organization for the six-year period 2018 to 2023 (Resolution A .1110(30)).