50th WISTA International AGM and Conference 2024 held in Limassol 9-11/Oct
The 50 Years Anniversary of the Women’s International Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA International) was celebrated between 09-11 October 2024 in Limassol, Cyprus. The Conference took place in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, the Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus, Mrs. Marina Hadjimanolis, the President of the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA), Mrs. Karin Orsel, Shipowners, and maritime associates and a dynamic presence of 400 women in the shipping industry from 62 different countries.
President Christodoulides was the first President participating in a WISTA Conference, signifying the importance that the Cyprus Government attributes to this matter. At his keynote address, President Christodoulides said that gender equality is a high, horizontal priority of the Cyprus Government, underlying that the Government recognizes the vital role of shipping and the need to strengthen the competitiveness of the Cypriot flag.
Recalling that the creation of WISTA International was launched on December 2, in London, 50 years ago, the IMO Secretary General, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, said that, today, WISTA has 5,000 members, women maritime professionals from 62 national organisations, who continue their action, “not to promote feminism but to highlight the role they can play in shipping”. He also referred to the theme of the conference, “Excellence in maritime and international trade driven by innovation”, saying that shipping is all about change and improvement and that introducing innovation helps reduce human error and operating costs and improve efficiency.
The Shipping Deputy Minister, Mrs. Marina Hadjimanolis, expressed her gratitude for the strong cooperation between the Shipping Deputy Ministry, WISTA Cyprus, and the Commissioner for Gender Equality, and invited everyone to the Maritime Cyprus 2025 Conference, which will be held in October next year in Limassol.
CUS actively participated through the presence of our Vice President, Mr. Polys Hajioannou, interviewed by Mr. Andreas Chrysostomou at the closing interview of the conference, being one of the highlights of the day. The interview was structured based on the discussion topics of the day and Mr. Hajioannou called to give his point of view on matters such as Green Financing, Environmental changes and possible future fuels, the human element and gender diversity and equality in the Shipping Industry and how his stock listed company has embraced gender equality as one of the cornerstone sustainability policies of the company.
WISTA International’s AGM concluded on Friday, 11/10/24, with parallel workshops on innovation, which took place at the Limassol Municipality’s Innovation and Blue Economy Centre, Limassol Port, BSM Maritime’s training centre.
The Cyprus Union of Shipowners was a supporter of the event.
Related Articles:
StockWatch 10/10 - President: Gender equality is high priority
Cyprus Mail 11/10 - Women’s shipping association celebrates 50th anniversary in Limassol
Shipping Herald 11/10 - President of Cyprus at WISTA conference: «Gender equality is high priority»
This year’s conference marks a milestone in the history of WISTA International, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary – a testament to our enduring commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the maritime and trading sectors worldwide. The event promises to convene industry leaders, innovators, and advocates from across the globe to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and forge partnerships aimed at advancing our collective goals.
Over 200 WISTA members will be in Limassol to celebrate the AGM and Conference, including some spectacular networking opportunities and exciting local excursions.
The week will also include a WISTA Presidents meeting and some highly focused workshops.
In the realm of maritime, innovation is not just a buzzword; it’s the compass that guides us toward a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient future. Technological advancements and innovative practices are pivotal in reshaping the maritime industry, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing environmental footprints, and ensuring the safety and security of maritime operations. From the integration of AI and automation for optimized vessel navigation to the development of green technologies for eco-friendly shipping, innovation holds the key to unlocking unprecedented levels of maritime excellence.
Diversity and inclusion stand at the heart of innovation. By embracing a wide array of perspectives, experiences, and expertise, the maritime industry fosters a rich breeding ground for creative solutions and groundbreaking ideas. The WISTA International Conference 2024 is a testament to the power of diversity, bringing together voices from various backgrounds to collaborate, challenge the status quo, and drive meaningful change in the maritime sector.