Busan:Represented by the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the State of Qatar participated in the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event (WMDPE) held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from October 26-27. The event, themed "From Policy to Practice Powering Maritime Excellence," saw participation from leaders of 169 countries.

According to Qatar News Agency, Qatar's involvement in the event is part of its preparations to host the World Maritime Day Parallel Event in 2028. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council recently approved Qatar's bid to host the event during its 137th regular session.

The participation of the MOT is aimed at supporting planning and arrangements for the Qatar edition of this significant international gathering. This initiative is intended to enhance Qatar's profile and role in supporting international cooperation and developing the maritime transportation industry. Additionally, it contributes to the exchange of expertise and knowledge, drawing on international experiences in organizing such large-scale maritime industry events.

World Maritime Day is organized annually by the IMO in collaboration with a host country. The event gathers government officials, maritime sector leaders, representatives of international organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector to discuss global maritime industry issues, challenges, and future opportunities.

The event features panel discussions and specialized presentations that highlight the IMO's priorities and emerging issues. This fosters international cooperation, expertise exchange, and support for efforts aimed at developing the maritime transport sector and achieving maritime sustainability.