‘theme' which is declared by the IMO. The theme of this year's Maritime Day is “"Technical Co-operation: IMO's response to the 2005 World Summit", which was chosen to focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) adopted by the UN in 2005 World Summit, as the world community's response to challenges such as hunger, disease and environmental degradation. As we know shipping is an industry, which contributes largely to sustainable development by the movement of the world trade and promotes production.

Every year IMO celebrates World Maritime Day. The exact date an individual country chooses on its own but is usually celebrated during the last week of September. The day is used to focus on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to highlight a particular aspect of IMO's activities in relation to development goals.

The theme was chosen to provide world community with the message that the IMO has taken all the technical co-operation programmes in responding to the outcome of 2005 World Summit and is contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals to ensure global development, with special consideration of maritime needs in Africa.

"Maritime activity has a key role to play in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, for shipping not only moves the world's burgeoning trade, but can also contribute substantially to sustainable development, while international commerce promotes production, job creation and greater socio-economic prosperity. And the combination of all these has, undoubtedly, the potential to lift people from hunger and poverty and also eradicate life-threatening diseases," said, Secretary-General of IMO Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, former Greek shipping expert.

Like others, in this ' World Maritime Day' pragramme, IMO hosts the traditional reception to be attended by the world's distinguished shipping experts, including members of the diplomatic corps, at the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London

World Maritime Day will also be observed and celebrated in many Member States and by many organisations associated with IMO, providing an opportunity to promote shipping as a major contributor to the world economy and the welfare of all nations, Argentina, Australia, Singapore and many other countries have chalked out extensive festive activities/events towards celebrating the day in a befitting manner.

In Bangladesh also, the shipping authorities and organisations are arranging to celebrate the day with colourful events highlighting the significance of the day. On this day, we condole the deaths of Fishermen in the Bay of Bengal.