The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a forum titled “The Blue Economy Needs Her: Digitalization, Innovation, and Women’s Leadership,” featuring experts and professionals from African countries who participated in person and remotely. The forum took place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in celebration of the International Day for Women in the Maritime Sector on May 18.

During the opening session, a video message from ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik was streamed. In the message, he emphasized that the forum went beyond a simple discussion of maritime economic opportunities, reflecting a deeper ambition to broaden the horizons of participation, leadership, and human progress. He noted that throughout history, ports have been places where civilizations intersect and ideas are exchanged. He added that today’s digital transformation is reshaping maritime industries and opening new avenues for development and cooperation.

Dr. AlMalik added that women are increasingly asserting their presence at the heart of these transformations. He emphasized that their participation in leadership roles enriches institutions with a renewed vision and strengthens the human dimension of innovation. Dr. AlMalik also noted that the blue economy occupies a prominent place among ICESCO’s strategic priorities, especially since more than 40 of the Organization’s Member States are coastal countries. This opens up vast prospects for food security, scientific cooperation, and economic resilience.

Ms. Sabah Lazraq, Director of the Fisheries Industry at Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests, emphasized that developing the blue economy requires supporting the digital transition and promoting innovation within maritime value chains. She highlighted the importance of facilitating women’s access to training, professional empowerment, and entrepreneurship in maritime professions.

This was followed by a high-level session that brought together leading speakers from Africa and stakeholders from the maritime sector. The discussions focused on women’s leadership in the blue economy from strategic and practical perspectives, combining visions, on-the-ground experiences, and success stories.

The forum included a specialized workshop titled “Women, Digitalization, and the Future of Ports,” led by Dr. Sara AlMahri, a researcher and startup founder at the University of Cambridge. Dr. AlMahri presented a forward-looking vision of the inclusive digitalization of ports and provided concrete examples illustrating how innovation can create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs.