Christine Valentin

The Arctic Ocean is a hot spot in global climate change. The Arctic region has experienced three to four times more warming than the Earth on average. This has been reflected in thinning and shrinking of the sea-ice cover, lengthening of seasonally ice-free periods and ocean warming during summer stage. These changes are most apparent in the Arctic coastal seas where most of the human activity takes place. Consequently, Arctic shipping has increased.

Interoperability is the technical ability to exchange information between systems that were developed completely independent from each other. CISE, launched in 2014, is gradually taking shape, while significant interoperability projects, including EUCISE2020 and national projects, have been successfully completed.

According to the IMO, the World Maritime Day Parallel Event is hosted in a different country each year, in order to provide 'a platform that brings together important actors and stakeholders in the maritime community to discuss matters of mutual concern.' GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX! Name: In South Africa, part of the reason for the country’s delegation’s attendance of the IMO event is because next year, South Africa will for the first time be the host of the conference.