Dhaka, Oct 8 (UNB) - The World Maritime Day was observed in the country Thursday as elsewhere across the globe with the perils of life-threatening climate change in the spotlight

The theme of the day for this year was ‘Climate Change: a Challenge for IMO too!’

In observance of the day, the shipping department organized a discussion at its auditorium where Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan addressed as chief guest.

As a special programme of the day, the shipping department took two remarkable initiatives.

These include giving Bangladeshi sailors machine-readable identity cards and adding reversible gear to water transports to ensure safe and comfortable plying of engine-propelled small transports in domestic routes.

President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion.

In his message, President Zillur Rahman urged all concerned to be more responsible in using and developing shipping and navigation systems of Bangladesh.

In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also urged all concerned to take steps to ensure safe journey of a large number of people on the riverine routes, preventing river mishaps and ensuring all sorts of safety.

Every year, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrates the World Maritime Day. The exact date is left to individual governments, but is usually celebrated during the last week in September.

The day is used to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work.