UAE urges IMO to promote gender equity and women engagement in marine sector

The UAE has requested member states of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to take the lead towards improving gender balance in the marine sector and commit to supporting the association’s decision, as well as achieving the fifth goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

The action comes in support of the slogan embraced by the organization in 2019 “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community” as well as supporting the implementation of IMO Assembly Resolution A.1147(31), that the UAE participated in preparing last year. The Resolution was passed by the IMO on “Preserving the legacy of the World Maritime theme for 2019 and Achieving a Barrier-Free Working Environment for Women in the Maritime Sector.”

Mohamed Khamis Al Kaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation, engaged in several “remote” video meetings to establish the initial vision to accomplish the desired goal of this decision where it was agreed in principle, to develop a road map that covers a proposal to establish an open-ended communication network for all IMO’s member states and observers to be a communication platform for the exchange of ideas, information and best practices aimed at achieving gender balance and enhancing women’s participation in the marine sector.

The organization urges members and related subsidiary bodies to recognize the importance of gender balance, including fostering a safe environment for women in the marine sector and integrating these considerations into its work.