08:30 – 09:30
Main Foyer
Break
Registration
On-site check-in and accreditation.
- Dates
- 7 - 8 September
- Location
- Batumi, Georgia
- Venue
- Sheraton Batumi Hotel
- Hosted by
- Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia
About
A regional forum for policy and cooperation.
GIMF convenes ministers, senior officials, international partners, scholars, and practitioners for three days of structured discussion on regional cooperation, public policy, and economic integration.
At a glance
- Dates
- 7 - 8 September
- Venue
- Sheraton Batumi Hotel
Batumi, Georgia - Hosted by
- Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia
Speakers
Featured speakers.
Arsenio Dominguez
Secretary-General
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi
Secretary-General
International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
Francis Zachariae
Secretary-General
The International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)
Altai Efendiyev
Secretary General
Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM)
Agenda
Day one. What to expect.
09:30 – 10:45
Grand Hall
Ceremony
Opening Ceremony & High-Level Keynote Addresses
Key Message: Maritime connectivity is no longer optional - it is strategic.
10:45 – 11:15
Main Foyer
Break
Coffee Break
Networking break.
11:15 – 12:30
Grand Hall
Panel
Panel I — From Seas to Corridors: The New Geography of Global Trade
Black Sea & Middle Corridor connectivity · Shipping, rail and port integration · Trade resilience and route diversification.
Speakers
- Ministers of Partner States
12:30 – 14:00
Dining Hall
Break
Lunch & Networking
Seated lunch and networking.
14:00 – 15:15
Grand Hall
Panel
Panel II — International Cooperation in Maritime Governance
Coordinating regional governance frameworks · Joint maritime safety & security initiatives · Aligning global and regional standards.
15:15 – 15:45
Main Foyer
Break
Coffee Break
Networking break.
15:45 – 16:45
Grand Hall
Panel
Panel III — On the Ground: Maritime Administrations and Regional Delivery
National implementation of IMO conventions · Capacity building · Regional cooperation.
16:45 – 17:30
Grand Hall
Keynote
High-Level Address
17:30 – 17:45
Grand Hall
Ceremony
Adoption of the Batumi Declaration 2026
20:00 – 22:00
Sheraton Grand Ballroom
Ceremony
Gala Dinner (By Invitation)
Useful information
Practical information for attendees.
Partners
Our partners.
Partners will be announced soon.
Our partner organisations will be shared shortly.
Discover
Around the main programme.
Alphabet Tower
Rising 130 metres above Miracle Park, the Alphabet Tower is one of Batumi's most iconic landmarks. Its DNA-inspired design incorporates all 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet. The tower makes a full 360° rotation every hour, treating visitors to ever-changing panoramic views from the restaurant and observation deck.
"Ali and Nino" Love Statue
Standing tall along Batumi's coastline, this moving sculpture tells the timeless love story from the beloved 1937 novel. Every 10 minutes, the two figures drift apart and slowly reunite in a graceful embrace - a symbol of enduring love and one of the city's most memorable sights.
UNESCO National Parks
Ajara is a nature lover's dream, home to three UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites: Mtirala National Park, Kobuleti, and Kintrishi Protected Areas. Lush, biodiverse, and genuinely wild - perfect for hikers, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking some of the most pristine landscapes in the Caucasus.
Reserve your spot
Registration is open.
Places are limited. Complete the registration form to reserve a place; your registration is confirmed once you verify your email.
Register now