Saudi Arabia will observe The World Maritime Day on September 4th, which is to be celebrated this year under the title of IMO's (International Maritime Organization) response to current environmental challenges". Saudi Arabia will hold a forum on the Saudi Efforts to protect Maritime environment next Wednesday, which will be participated by representatives of the IMO and other governmental and private bodies related to maritime activities and business. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Jubarah Assrasri, said the Annual Saudi participation in the event comes in the Kingdom's stance that shipping plays a vital role in the spread of trade in prospects and scope of national and international economy. Dr. Jubbarah pointed out that Saudi Arabia acceded to the membership of the International Maritime Organization in 1969 considering its important role in the field of maritime safety, upgrade navigation performance, protection of the marine environment, safety of life for all Member States. In addition, Saudi Arabia has also joined and ratified more than 20 conventions and protocols on maritime safety, marine environment protection, communications via satellite, maritime rescue and the Suppression of Sea piracy Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation. He said that the activation of the role of the Kingdom in these areas have been assisted by advisers from the International Maritime Organization to train the staff of the maritime transport sector at the Ministry of Transport and Saudi Ports Authority to assist in the proper application of these conventions which are opted by the Kingdom and maximize the benefits of these agreements and protocols.
