Associations representing more than 1,000 ports and related companies have signed up to a programme aimed at championing sustainable growth.
At an event held last week at the Port of Antwerp’s headquarters, with its striking Zaha
Hadid-designed extension, five groups signed the World Port Sustainability Program (WPSP) charter, which aims to drive development under the themes of the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals.
Years in the making
Patrick Verhoeven, WPSP coordinator and managing director of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), said the programme was the result of the seeds sown by the environmental initiatives started 10 years ago.
“World ports too face the dilemma of reconciling sustainable development with further industrial challenges,” Verhoeven said.
He added that the programme “will make a practical contribution towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations”.
Action stations
Belgium’s Queen Mathilde opened a seminar on the programme with a call for action.
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” she said. “We must take action now to implement the UN goals. Sustainability benefits us all.”
Jacques Vandermeiren, chief executive of Antwerp Port Authority, said: “This transition process includes the elements that will help us to respond not only to the global but also the local challenges currently facing us, such as climate change, mobility, digitalisation, migration and societal integration.”
