Awareness Seminar for Women Working in the Arab Maritime Sector on the Occasion of the International Day for Women in Maritime Celebrations “The International Maritime Organization (IMO): The Backbone of the Global Maritime Sector Your Gateway to Understanding the International Maritime Framework and the Role of Arab Women in the Maritime Sector” Held under the Patronage of His Excellency Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and Ms. Noura Al-Qahtani, President of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA). Delivered by Captain Emad Khafagy, Dean of the International Maritime Organization Complex at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport.

Monday, 11 May 2026

The General Secretariat of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA) announces the organization of a specialized awareness seminar on the occasion of the International Day for Women in Maritime 2026, under the title:
“The International Maritime Organization (IMO)… The Backbone of the Global Maritime Sector”
Your Gateway to Understanding the International System and the Role of Arab Women in the Maritime Sector
The seminar will be held under the gracious patronage of H.E. Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), and Ms. Noura Algethami, President of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA), on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at 11:00 AM (Arab Republic of Egypt Time).
The seminar will be delivered by Captain Emad Khafagy, Dean of the International Maritime Organization Complex at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, as part of an important educational mission aimed at deepening institutional understanding of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the specialized United Nations agency responsible for establishing the global regulatory and legislative framework governing maritime safety, security, efficiency, and marine environmental protection.
This seminar emphasizes that understanding the IMO is not merely about recognizing an international institution, but about comprehending a fully integrated global system that serves as the foundation of international maritime governance. Participants will gain valuable insights into the IMO’s history, institutional structure, major international conventions, and principal committees, including the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the Technical Cooperation Committee (TC), and the Facilitation Committee (FAL), in addition to its vital role in legislative development, capacity building, and supporting Member States toward international compliance and institutional excellence.
The seminar further highlights that a comprehensive understanding of this international framework is essential for every Arab woman working in — or aspiring to join — the maritime sector, as it strengthens her ability to engage knowledgeably and effectively in policy-making, understand international decision-making mechanisms, and identify pathways for professional empowerment within the global maritime community. This knowledge opens broader opportunities for leadership, influence, and meaningful contribution to sustainable development goals.
This distinguished event is dedicated to women working in the Arab maritime sector, AWIMA members, and all those interested in institutional and professional empowerment, reflecting AWIMA’s steadfast commitment to building a more informed, capable, and globally engaged generation of Arab women, while reinforcing their role as essential contributors to the future of the international maritime sector.

Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Time: 11:00 AM (Arab Republic of Egypt Time)
Registeration form: https://forms.gle/5KaSosEjLNbWhgyd7
Microsoft Teams Meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/329353510525403?p=6DnBWEzomNEsjfPsi7
Meeting ID: 329 353 510 525 403
Passcode: Ea99pD2b