Agenda

Opening Ceremony

• Event’s Video: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”
• Welcome Address by the UAE MOEI Minister
• Keynote speech by the Secretary General of IMO
• UAE Maritime Sector Video
• Group Photo

Topics will include:

• Harnessing the Blue Economy: Opportunities for Sustainable Ocean-Based Industries. Exploring investments in fisheries, tourism and renewable energy with benefits for ocean stewardship.
• Ocean Literacy and Youth Engagement for Future Generations.Educating and empowering younger generations to become ocean advocates and innovators.
• The Importance of Maintaining Strong Lines of Communications. Stimulating information flows to better identify and understand marine challenges and ways to address them.
• Ensuring Fair and Effective Regulatory Frameworks. Assessing the Member State Audit Scheme. How this has worked, and what are the main lessons learned, to date?
• Integrating New and Emerging Technologies into the Regulatory Space. Assessing the opportunities and challenges arising from technological advances in shipping and maritime and adapting the regulatory framework to the needs of the digital age.
• Protecting Marine Spaces. Identifying ways to improve maritime safety and security and reduce threats to biodiversity.
• The Hong Kong Convention - Heralding a New Era in Green Ship Recycling. An assessment of the impact of this important regulatory initiative for the health of our oceans and coastal communities.
• Safe Adoption and Use of Alternative Marine Fuels. Examining risks, safeguards, and training needs for seafarers as the industry transitions towards alternative fuels and new technologies.
• IMO’s Track Record in Ocean Protection. Showcasing the impact of IMO conventions such as SOLAS, AFS, and Ballast Water Management, with key successes, lessons learned, and concrete measures protecting the marine environment.

Topics will include:

• Alternative Fuels for Shipping: Ammonia, Hydrogen, Methanol and Biofuels. Assessing the feasibility, safety and infrastructure requirements for next-generation marine fuels.
• Green Corridors: Developing Zero-Emission Shipping Routes. Case studies demonstrating global collaborations on low/zero-carbon maritime trade lanes.
• Carbon Pricing and Market-Based Measures for Reducing Maritime Emissions. Exploring IMO’s strategies and national carbon markets for shipping.
• Retrofitting Existing Fleets for Energy Efficiency. Assessing the impact of installing innovative technology, including propulsion, hull design and emissions control systems, on ships in service
• Digital Decarbonization: Using AI and Big Data to Reduce Emissions. How data analytics can optimize voyage planning and reduce carbon output.
• Climate Risk and Resilience in Port Infrastructure. Adapting seaports to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
• Global Cooperation on Decarbonisation and Climate Change. Establishing mechanisms for exchanging best practice amongst stakeholders to raise standards and enhance marine protection
• Strengthening Regulatory, Enforcement and Incentivisation Strategies for Reducing GHG emissions. How best can IMO and Member States facilitate the transition of shipping to net zero GHG using the levers at their disposal.

Topics will include:

• Regulatory Compliance under MARPOL Annex V and MEPC Resolutions. Looking at the effectiveness and gaps in global enforcement of plastic discharge rules.
• Innovations in Onboard Waste Management Technologies. Systems for sorting, compacting, and storing waste at sea.
• Port Reception Facilities: Closing the Loop on Marine Plastic Waste. Assessing the availability, access and capacity of PRFs worldwide.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Maritime Supply Chain. Encouraging upstream accountability for packaging and plastic materials.
• Ship-Generated Waste Audits and Reporting Mechanisms. Best practices for monitoring and transparency on vessels.
• Crew Training and Behavioural Change Strategies. Empowering seafarers to be frontline defenders against marine plastic pollution.

Topics will include:

• Navigating the BBNJ Agreement: Implications for Maritime Industries. How the new treaty intersects with shipping operations and rights, and an assessment of progress made since implementation.
• High Seas Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Shipping Lanes. Strategies to reroute vessels and minimize ecological disturbance.
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in ABNJ under BBNJ. Strengthening EIA protocols for vessel operations in international waters.
• Benefit-Sharing and Capacity Building: The Role of Maritime Stakeholders. Ensuring equitable access to marine resources and technologies.
• Shipping Industry’s Role in Monitoring and Reporting Biodiversity Impacts. Leveraging ship-based observations for scientific data collection.
• Collaboration between IMO and BBNJ Implementation Bodies. The importance of policy alignment and coordination to prevent jurisdictional overlap.

Topics will include:

• Building Capacity in Developing States through Maritime Education. Supporting coastal nations with technical skills and institutional frameworks.
• Integrating Sustainability into Maritime Training. Embedding marine ecology, pollution prevention, and climate issues into learning programmes.
• Decent Work and Wellbeing in the Green Transition. Safeguarding labor rights, health, and safety as the industry shifts to low-carbon operations.
• Strengthening NGOs and Civil Society in Ocean Governance. Expanding advocacy and collaboration for effective global ocean stewardship.
• Bridging Fragmentation in Global Ocean Projects. Addressing overlaps between UN, NGO, and IMO initiatives by fostering unified approaches.
• Showcasing IMO-Led Capacity Development Successes. Highlighting concrete results from IMO’s projects and programmes worldwide.

Closing Ceremony

• Closing remarks by the Secretary General of IMO
• Presentation of commemorative plaque to UAE
• Passing of the WMDPE flag to the Republic of Korea, host 2026 WMDPE, by UAE
• Speech by the Head of the Republic of Korea Delegation.
• Speech by the MOEI UAE Minister
• Appreciation
• Group Photo