The Federal Transport AuthorityLand and Maritime (FTA) participated in the World Maritime Day 2019 activities held in London under the theme' Empowering Women in the Maritime Community.' The celebration this year promoted gender equality in the maritime industry in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. The event also offered a platform for industry participants to discuss cooperative initiatives to encourage greater involvement of females in various elements of the maritime sector, including administration and maritime training, as well as foster intercultural dialog on maritime gender equality.

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of FTALand and Maritime, said: "The involvement of the UAE was part of our continuing mission to stimulate worldwide maritime growth and development, as well as highlighting women's significant yet contributions to the industry. The UAE takes gender equality seriously as the nation continues to work hard to eliminate the gap across all maritime areas between male and female staff. We think that females play a significant part in speeding up for the growth of the industry. They are well positioned to sustain the domestic economy thanks to their abilities and capacities.

H.E. Al Nuaimi included, "Women in the maritime industry are acknowledged in the UAE. It has done a lot to guarantee equality between the genders. We believe in the capacity of women to fulfill different duties together with their males. As a result, the nation continues to offer them possibilities for learning and training to improve their capabilities and to reinforce their position in different maritime areas. We need to foster gender equality if we want to boost growth across the industry.

Women account for 2% of 1.2 million seafarers worldwide, 94% of whom are traffickers and cruisers, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In order to increase its effectiveness, it aims to empower females in the marine transportation industry.

The empowerment of women will assist in driving marine economic growth, boost productivity and benefit all stakeholders involved. The IMO provides scholarships for females who wish to enter the industry, as a part of its initiatives in this field. In addition to providing secure job conditions which provide them with equal career possibilities, it promotes the access to high-level maritime technical education in developing nations.

In 1988 the IMO introduced a worldwide program to develop abilities and speed up women's entry into the industry. The program provided the basis for the development of efficient organizational policies and processes. It seeks at empowering females through training and employment possibilities. In Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East, and the Pacific Islands, IMO has helped to set up 7 national women's associations.

Maritime sustainability and growth are the objectives of the World Maritime Day. 80 per cent of complete global trade is in the industry, which is essential to world trade. The event will focus on sustainable economic growth, employability, prosperity and stability through increased global maritime trade, development of port infrastructure and expanded women's involvement.