PERSGA, along with delegates from the lead partnering country and participating nations of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, attended the 3rd Global Project Task Force Meeting (GPTF-3) and the Asia-Pacific Women in Maritime Biofouling Management Workshop in Bali, Indonesia, from March 10–13, 2025. The event brought together over 100 participants from governments, industries, academia, and NGOs. Organized by the Directorate of Sea Transportation (DGST) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the meeting and workshop were hosted by the Republic of Indonesia.

The primary objective of the GPTF-3 was to highlight the achievements of Lead Partnering Countries (LPCs), including progress on the establishment of national task forces, the development of National Status Assessment reports, National Strategies and Action Plans, and the delivery of National Training Courses on biofouling management. PERSGA, one of the five regional coordinating organizations (RCOs), provided status report on the formation of regional task forces and progress in developing a regional strategy. The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the project’s activities, shared best practices, and discussed future project activities.

Discussions also encompassed the potential for Phase 2, as the IMO, in collaboration with UNDP and other partners, will soon be submitting a proposal to the GEF to ensure the sustainability of the project’s outcomes and to leverage its long-term benefits.

The Asia-Pacific Women in Maritime Biofouling Management Workshop, held on November 13, focused on advancing gender mainstreaming in the maritime and biofouling sectors. Participants, including representatives from WISTA, WMU, Women in Maritime Indonesia and the Philippines, and PACWIMA, discussed barriers to gender equality, shared best practices, and developed strategies for promoting inclusivity and gender equity within the industry. The workshop emphasized fostering innovation and actionable insights to drive meaningful change within maritime organizations.

The GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project aims to build capacity in participating countries for implementing the IMO Biofouling Guidelines and other relevant best practices, to reduce the transfer of invasive aquatic species (IAS) via biofouling, and to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping. PERSGA continues to play a critical role in minimizing the spread of IAS in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with Jordan leading regional efforts.