Save the date and join the IMO event: “From Policy to Practice: Promoting Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence” to mark the International Day of Women in Maritime 2026.

Date: May 18, 2026

Time: 16:30 p.m.

Location: IMO Headquarters, London, and live stream on the IMO YouTube channel

As part of the event, the IMO will host the Gender Equality Award Ceremony, where Professor Momoko Kitada, nominated by Japan, will receive the 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award, in accordance with the decision of the IMO Council at its 135th session.

PROGRAMME

16.00 – 16.30 Registration

16.30 – 16.35 Opening of the event by Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, IMO

16.35 – 16.50 Expert perspective: “Why Gender Mainstreaming Matters: Challenges and Gaps in the Maritime Sector”

Moderator: Atty. Sharon De Chavez-Aledo, Maritime Attaché, Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the IMO, Chair of HTW Sub-Committee & Co-Chair IMOGENder 

Speaker: Professor Anna Petrig, University of Basel 

16.50 – 17.00     Launch of the Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming Professor Momoko Kitada, World Maritime University

17:00 – 17.15 Expert perspective: “From Commitment to Action: Best Practices in Gender Mainstreaming”

Moderator: Atty. Sharon De Chavez-Aledo
Speaker: Mia Krogslund Jørgensen, Vice President and Head of People, Culture & Strategy, Hafnia 

17.15 – 17.30 IMO Gender Equality Award Ceremony