Members’ meetings at TOC Americas Panama and at the AGM in Cyprus are highlighted.

 

After 50 years since the founding of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, WISTA, its presence in Latin America has increased considerably. The impact it has had with its mission and work for the inclusion of women in the port and logistics shipping sector, has encouraged great professionals in the region to organize themselves and become part of this outstanding network of women.

 

The recent TOC Americas event held in Panama City was attended by around 60 women members of WISTA Latam. These industry gatherings encourage women to improve their knowledge, share with key industry players and organize their meetings among WISTA members in the region.

 

WISTA’s impact in Latin America can be seen in its member countries: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Panama, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and the recently added Costa Rica and Honduras.

 

World meeting in Cyprus 

 

The world meeting of WISTA International members and the celebration of 50 years since its foundation took place in the city of Limassol, Cyprus. The event had the participation of relevant organizations of the shipping industry, where the presence of Arsenio Dominguez, secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and government representatives of Cyprus was highlighted.

 

The president of WISTA International, Elpi Petraki, reported on the year’s management, highlighting the Association’s achievements and activities, presenting its new alliances with Lloyds Maritime Academy and Ocean Technologies Group, in addition to reinforcing its work with the IMO. Three new associations were also approved, two of them in Latin America, Costa Rica and Honduras, and WNA China joined from Asia.

 

In this regard, Elvia Bustavino, president of WISTA Panama, commented that “the growing call of WISTA in Latin America is a clear sign that women are finding in our Association a platform to boost their development in the maritime sector. This union reinforces our collective commitment to make female talent visible and create opportunities in an industry that still has a long way to go in terms of gender equity. The incorporation of two WISTA associations in Costa Rica and Honduras, to the other associations that exist in the region is a solid demonstration of this”. 

 

Meanwhile, Dafne Anghelidis, member of the WISTA EXCO, commented that “in 2018 the first regional conference was held in Argentina, from there associations were created in Latin American countries. Currently in South and Central America there are 14 Spanish-speaking countries and 4 English-speaking countries in the Caribbean with approximately 700 members in the region”. She added that “equal opportunities for women working in the maritime, port and international trade sector is an increasingly relevant issue. And for WISTA this is a primary objective, as well as the fulfillment of the SDGs.

 

The next world meeting will be held in the city of Barcelona in 2025 and in Malaysia with the support of Hong Kong and Singapore in 2026.

 

Meeting in Panama

 

During the TOC Americas meeting in Panama, WISTA Panama organized a cocktail party for all the attendees of the event, where the mission and vision of the Association were presented.

 

Bustavino said that “the meeting in Panama was an inspiring and extraordinary experience. The synergy between the different associations in the region demonstrated the strength and leadership of WISTA. It was a space to exchange ideas, build capacity, share technical knowledge, strengthen ties and reaffirm our commitment to women’s leadership in shipping. I thank all WISTA members in Latin America who were present in Panama.

 

For her part, Mariela Gutarra, president of WISTA Peru, said that “the large gathering of WISTA in Panama offered numerous benefits for WISTA Peru, such as: Networking and collaboration; Empowerment and visibility; Training and development; Promotion of diversity and Innovation and best practices. These benefits help to strengthen WISTA Peru’s presence and impact in the region, promoting a more inclusive and diverse future in the industry”.

 

Entre los asistentes de WISTA en TOC Américas 2024 , participaron las NWA de Panamá, Colombia, Perú, Venezuela y Uruguay