The UAE’s Federal Transport Authority-Land and Maritime is all set to take part in the World Maritime Day 2019 activities being held in London on September 26.

This year's event is being held under the slogan, ‘Empowering Women in the Maritime Community’ and will focus on raising awareness on the importance of gender equality in the maritime sector, said the Authority..

It is aimed at creating a stimulating environment for women that will enhance their participation in maritime jobs, including administrations, ports and maritime training institutes, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it added.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and the chairman of Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime, said: “Our participation this year is an important addition to us especially as the event focuses on the important role of women in the global maritime sector.”

“Women are a vital component of the maritime community in the country - thanks to their pioneering skills and capabilities that enable them to engage in the maritime labour market. We are keen on promoting gender equality and reduce the gap between male and female employees in all maritime fields. We consider women as a key partner in the development of a maritime sector that contributes to supporting the development process and strengthening the national economy,” he said.

Al Nuaimi continued: “The UAE has made quality achievements in enhancing the efficiency, comprehensiveness, sustainability and safety of the maritime sector in general, which contributed to the improvement of the performance of this sector in terms of developing legislation and policies such as updating maritime law, as well as strengthening the control over the shipping and navigation companies and the development of container handling volume.”

“Women have played a leading role in holding high-level positions in the maritime sector, demonstrating their presence and ability to take on the most difficult tasks in this sector and achieve excellence and leadership in maritime work,” he added.
 
“We are pleased to participate this year in this international event to highlight the importance of supporting and enabling women in the various maritime fields and providing them with the necessary expertise to enable her to promote the maritime industry and stimulate economic development in general,” concluded Al Nuaimi.

In 1988, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) launched a programme for gender equality, capacity building and the integration of women in the maritime sector.

This programme contributed to the establishment of an institutional framework in IMO policies and procedures, as well as its role in enabling women to have access to maritime training and employment within this vital sector.-TradeArabia News Service