I am Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
Since our inclusion as an IMO member state, the United States has made significant contributions to advance IMO?s objectives of marine safety, security, and environmental protection and we will continue to do so. We are committed because the marine transportation system is an absolutely essential link in the global supply chain.
We are a maritime nation. My service, the U.S. Coast Guard, was founded to provide maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship for a fledgling nation. We quickly learned that our values, economy, and security were tied to the oceans and waterways that funneled into our ports. Those ports, over 360 of them today, have become essential hubs in the global marketplace.
As a flag state, port state, and coastal state, the United States satisfies the requirements for election under Category ?A?. We are a leader in providing international shipping services. In addition to the U.S. flag fleet, the United States is one of the top five ship owning countries in the world. We have some of the world?s busiest ports and rank second in terms of overall port calls by the world?s ships.
We continue to work at IMO with the international community to address the most pressing issues of the day including air emissions from ships, climate change, piracy in waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden where United States forces have demonstrated resolve to address this threat, and goal-based standards for new ship construction.
After the tragic terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11th, 2001, we engaged the IMO to develop the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. This Code has led to the broad international effort to increase global shipping security. To improve maritime awareness for vessel safety and security, we are voluntarily hosting the international data exchange for the long-range identification and tracking system.
We regularly send highly qualified delegations to IMO meetings and several U.S. personnel have held leadership positions within IMO committees. American subject matter experts assisted in the meetings that produced the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the U. S. Coast Guard also posts a permanent officer at the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden, where I have personally delivered a graduation address.z
Recognizing our financial obligations, the United States has remained current on its payments of assessed contributions and made voluntary offerings to various IMO projects. Over the past five years, we provided $1.4 million in funding for the International Maritime Security Trust fund. We provide support and training expertise to help developing countries safeguard their own maritime interests and contribute to international governance.
As a member of the Council, the United States has been a strong advocate for an efficient and forward looking IMO. We will continue to support transparency in all financial and regulatory matters, accountability by adhering to internal and external audits, and the highest ethical standards.
Within the United States, President Obama recently acknowledged just how vital the oceans are to our way of life when he formed the Ocean Policy Task Force. This multi-agency group is creating a governance framework to responsibly manage competing oceanic interests.
When I testified before the United States Senate, I stressed the need to align the Task Force?s domestic policies with the international community. We appreciate that the oceans are indeed the last global commons. We share those waters with all of you and many of the challenges we face extend beyond the reach of individual nations. To facilitate trade and mitigate threats, the global community must work together.
We are committed to working within the IMO framework and with all of the member nations to meet these challenges. This is our obligation so we can leave a better world for our children to inherit.
