Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the venue for staging the exchange of ideas, showcasing innovation, and strengthening international cooperation during the celebration of the 2025 World Maritime Day Parallel Event (WMDPE), held over two days spanning from September 30 to October 1, 2025.
The Minister of Energy & Infrastructure of the UAE – His Excellency Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei – met with IMO Secretary-General Mr Arsenio Dominguez, alongside many other senior officials.
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), hosted this event over the course of two days.
Welcoming delegates, the Minister of Energy & Infrastructure – H. E. Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei – shared that the gathering benefits the participants with the opportunity to unite their efforts towards achieving balance between economic growth whilst protecting oceans, which connects the participants together in keeping them healthy for the next generation.
IMO’s Secretary-General – Mr Arsenio Dominguez – shared that by facing environmental challenges, they can unlock a plethora of opportunities for everyone. Commenting further, Dominguez believed that the shipping sector, for instance, creates a stream of employment & training prospects not only for seafarers aboard ships but also for support mechanisms such as logistics, law, new technologies, and economics, besides even AI & some others.
Dominguez went on to share that IMO continuously updates its global regulations to keep up with the changes occurring in the industry. The IMO carefully considers the impact of these updates on the economies of Member States.
Inviting dialogue & action
The event featured a maritime exhibition that showcased innovations in sustainable shipping. This incorporated a series of five panel discussions, spread over two days of the event. The gathering included many experts besides policymakers.
Panel 1: Our Ocean, Our Obligation, besides Our Opportunity
This panel underscores the links between ocean health, prosperity & governance. This highlighted opportunities in the blue economy and emphasised the importance of ocean literacy..
& youth engagement.
Panel 2: Decarbonisation & climate change
This panel examined pathways to net-zero emissions in shipping that include the use of alternative fuels, green corridors, and carbon pricing, besides climate-resilient ports.
Panel 3: Actions that address marine plastic litter
This panel explored regulatory gaps, onboard waste innovations, port reception facilities, and the role of seafarers, who were categorised as “frontline defenders” against plastic pollution.
Panel 4: The Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty & shipping
This panel reviewed how the new global framework for protecting marine BBNJ would affect shipping lanes besides high seas governance.
Panel 5: Capacity development for sustainable oceans
This panel spotlighted IMO-led projects and programs that were designed to bolster capacity among member states, especially in developing countries, through maritime training, upskilling, and ensuring decent work besides wellbeing in the green transition.
The Republic of Korea will host the WMPDE 2026
The ceremonial handover of the World Maritime Day Parallel Event flag to the Republic of Korea concluded the 2025 event. The Republic of Korea is scheduled to host the 2026 edition in Busan.
