PERSGA , along with delegates from lead Partnering country (Jordan) and participating countries (Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan) of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships  Project in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, attended the 3rd Global GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships R&D Forum and Exhibition. The event, held from November 4-8, 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea, brought together over 250 participants from diverse sectors. The forum was co-organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO), and hosted by the Republic of Korea.

The aim of this 3rd R&D forum was to facilitate the exchange of best practices and explore advancements in aquatic biofouling management. The extensive program included expert presentations and interactive discussions on the environmental impacts of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) and marine biofouling management. Participants also had the opportunity to attend site visits – one to the Orient Shipyard for a dry dock demonstration where PERSGA countries and IMO Member States observed live dry-dock cleaning procedures, and another to the facilities of the Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) (KIOST) and Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) (KOMERI) to witness advanced Ballast Water Management and Biofouling Management testing facilities. Additionally, Samsung Heavy Industries hosted PERSGA participants and delegates from 26 project’s beneficiary countries, providing a tour of their shipbuilding facilities with eight docks and the capacity to build around 70 specialized ships per year.

During the panel session on Gender, the delegate from Jordan represented the country, highlighting women’s engagement and experiences in the maritime sector in Jordan, and the way forward to promote a more sustainable and inclusive maritime industry.

GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project aims to build capacity in participating countries in the region for implementing the IMO Biofouling Guidelines and other relevant guidance and best practices for biofouling management and to catalyse overall reductions in the transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) introduced by marine biofouling with additional benefits in reducing the Greenhouse Gas emissions from global shipping.

PERSGA is playing a critical role in the efforts of minimizing the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species via ships’ hulls in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where Jordan is the leading country.