Investiture Ceremony for 2024 National Day Awards

1.     President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has conferred the Public Service Star (Distinguished Friends of Singapore) on Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General Emeritus of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to honour him for his leadership and contributions to the global maritime industry, to the IMO and his efforts in enhancing relations between the IMO and Singapore.

2.     The Public Service Star (Distinguished Friends of Singapore) recognises senior executives and leaders for their outstanding contributions to the economic growth of Singapore. 

3.     During Mr Lim’s tenure as Secretary-General of the IMO from 2016 to 2023, he championed several key initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the maritime sector through decarbonisation and digitalisation. This includes the adoption of the 2018 Initial IMO Strategy on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from Ships, and the landmark 2023 Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, which sets out the goal to reach net-zero GHG emissions for the international shipping sector by or around, i.e. close to 2050. Under his tenure, a single centralised digital platform or Maritime Single Window for data exchange was made mandatory in ports around the world from 2024, marking an important step in the acceleration of digitalisation in shipping. 

4.     Mr Lim was a strong advocate for seafarers and their well-being. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he made the safe movement of seafarers across borders and access to vaccinations a key priority. In addition, Mr Lim actively promoted gender equality within the maritime sector. Under his leadership, the IMO dedicated 2019 as a year for the empowerment of women, designated 18 May as the International Day for Women in Maritime, and established the IMO Gender Equality Award. 

5.     Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, presented the award to Mr Lim at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Transport on the sidelines of the Singapore Maritime Week.

6.     “Mr Lim played a significant role in leading the IMO to shape the international maritime landscape over the last eight years. On behalf of Singapore, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Mr Lim for synergising our efforts to advance the IMO’s goals of facilitating safe, secure and sustainable shipping. Singapore looks forward to continue contributing to the work of the IMO, and to partner the IMO in various strategic initiatives, particularly in areas such as seafarer welfare, maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation,” said SMS Khor.