In a move to support the empowerment of women and enhance their role in maritime sectors, Alexandria, Egypt, hosted the Regional Workshop and Annual General Assembly meeting of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA) from July 27 to 31, 2025. The event took place at the headquarters of the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The workshop witnessed broad participation from Arab women leaders in the maritime sector, focusing on developing their institutional and leadership capabilities. The goal was to empower them to effectively influence maritime policy-making through interactive sessions and strategic discussions on enabling women to undertake pivotal roles in national and regional maritime policies.

IMO experts played a crucial role in the workshop, collaborating with participants to develop a general framework that includes an outline for a regional strategy and a charter of work for the Association. These will form the core of the Association’s direction for the next five years, aligning with the IMO’s global strategy for women’s maritime associations.

AWIMA is one of eight women’s maritime associations established by the IMO in various regions worldwide, including Africa, Arab countries, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific. These professional networks cover over 152 countries and territories, include nearly 500 members and work to promote gender balance in the global maritime sector.

Activities during the workshop included a field visit to the Egyptian training ship AIDA IV, where participants learned about Egypt’s advanced maritime training capabilities. A visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina also highlighted the rich cultural and scientific environment surrounding the maritime sector in the country.

Egypt’s hosting of this significant event reflects its leading role in supporting joint Arab maritime efforts and reaffirms its commitment to enhancing women’s participation in the maritime sector, especially by empowering women leaders and providing institutional platforms to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of this role.

The workshop concluded with the announcement of the formation of the association’s first regional council, which included the selection of a regional branch president and the appointment of several women leaders from Arab countries to head national chapters. This paves the way for the creation of a unified regional council that will represent Arab women working in the maritime field and lead the Association’s future activities.

This event marks a promising starting point towards a more inclusive future for women in the maritime transport industry. The workshop’s outcomes are expected to translate into practical steps that will enhance the presence of Arab women in this vital sector and open broader horizons for cooperation and integration among Arab countries under the Association’s umbrella.