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.
Batumi Botanical Garden
Spread across 110 hectares on the slopes of Green Cape, this extraordinary garden brings together around 5,000 plant species - including 2,000 types of trees - from across the globe. Wander its paths and you'll feel like you're travelling between continents with every turn.
"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.
Cable Car "Argo"
Built in 2013 as both a tourist attraction and an eco-friendly transport option, the Argo cable car glides from Old Batumi's coastline up to Mount Anuria, 256 metres above sea level. The bird's-eye panorama of the city below is reason enough to ride it.
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.