I would like to express my gratitude to WASD for organizing this event at a crucial moment, as we approach the 2030 target. I am particularly pleased to see on the agenda of the conference the emphasis on the vital role of educational institutions in driving forward the implementation of Agenda 2030.

I was truly honoured to be asked to speak at this 20th Anniversary and 21st Annual Conference of WASD. This conference marks a crucial milestone in our collective journey towards the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The International Maritime Organization is truly delighted to host your event as we are fully committed in meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which means also playing a central role by promoting and contributing to initiatives that drive the sustainable development agenda forward.

While sustainable development is now en vogue, WASD can be credited alongside agencies that championed the merits of sustainable development and the urgency and necessity to pursue holistic strategies that will facilitate the enhancement of the human condition, while causing minimal harm to the environment.

We noted the quality of your annual conferences conceived and organized as fertile formulas of multi-stakeholder partnerships. It is against this background that I would kindly invite you to organize your 2018 16th International Annual Conference in Geneva, at the Palais des Nations. That would allow us to present the work of the Joint Inspection Unit to a broader audience.