The inaugural Ocean Governance Training Programme offered by IOI Egypt was successfully delivered under the theme "Red Sea and Arabian Gulf: Developing Human Sustainable Ocean Governance and Integrated Management." The four-week course took place from 3rd to 28th November 2024, with sessions held in the cities of Suez and Hurghada. Out of 144 applications received, 20 candidates were shortlisted, resulting in a final cohort of 16 participants from Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan. This milestone programme marked a significant step in advancing sustainable ocean governance in the region, also since it was the first IOI Ocean governance training programme to be offered completely in the Arabic language.
The programme featured 48 lectures delivered by 38 lecturers from renowned institutions, including the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, the Ministry of Environment, Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), the Egyptian Tourist Guides Syndicate, and Suez University. Complementing the classroom-based lectures, the course incorporated four field trips to key locations: Suez and Safaga Ports, the Safaga Mangrove area, the Egyptian Company for Fishing and Equipment in Suez, and El Gouna, where participants visited the desalination plant, sewage treatment plant, recycling area, and recreational facilities.
The course content was structured into three comprehensive modules. The first module focused on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), maritime zones, legal conflicts, and governance issues. The second module examined the intricate relationship between humans and the sea, highlighting interactions, benefits, and threats. The third module addressed management challenges and explored the protocols and treaties regulating the marine environment.
Practical application of knowledge was emphasised through simulation exercises, including on the delimitation of maritime zones, environmental impact assessments for selected projects, and SWOT analysis of governance and management scenarios. These exercises allowed participants to apply their newly acquired skills in a realistic and multidisciplinary context.
The course concluded with a celebratory event, where certificates were awarded to participants by the President of NIOF. This successful first edition of the IOI Egypt Governance Training Course underscores the importance of capacity development in ocean governance tailored for all regions and language speakers, and paves the way for future initiatives and networks in the region.