Postal Dept. to unveil World Maritime Day 2015 first day cover, revenue stamp 2015

• Colombo International Maritime Conference takes initiative to support UN Sustainable Development Goals

In recognition of World Maritime Day today, 24 September, on the recommendation of the Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga, the Postal Department will for the first time issue a first day cover and a revenue stamp to mark World Maritime Day 2015.

The United Nations (UN), via the International Maritime Organization (IMO), created World Maritime Day to celebrate the international maritime industry’s contribution towards the world’s economy, especially in shipping. The event’s date varies by year and country but it is always in the last week of September. 

September 2015 is significant as the UN General Assembly will introduce Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) introduced in 2000. The Government too has for the first time declared a Maritime Week from 21 to 27 September to mark the event. 

The International Maritime Organisation has given emphasis to ‘Maritime Education & Training’ as the 2015 theme for World Maritime Day.

The Colombo International Maritime Conference (CIMC) from 24-26 September is the main event that will be held during Maritime Week in Sri Lanka and the Government will issue this stamp to commemorate this event at the launch of the conference.