PADI Joins Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action as Presenting Partner

Aqaba Blue 2026

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the world’s leading scuba diving organization, has been announced as a Presenting Partner of the inaugural Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action, which will take place in Aqaba, Jordan, from 9 to 12 September 2026.

Positioned as an international platform dedicated to the blue economy, Aqaba Blue brings together stakeholders from the marine, science and technology, tourism, water sports, and diving sectors under Jordan’s broader strategy for sustainable ocean development. The four-day event will convene companies, institutions, researchers, industry experts, and policymakers at a time when marine sustainability, coastal tourism, and maritime innovation are gaining increasing global attention.

As part of the partnership, PADI will host its regional forum during the event, bringing together dive professionals and operators from across the Middle East and beyond. The programme will also include PADI’s regional awards, recognizing excellence within its extensive membership network, as well as a series of specialized training activities.

Among them is the PADI Adaptive Support Diver course, designed to provide participants with the knowledge and techniques required to support divers with physical or cognitive disabilities, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion within the diving community.

“We are pleased to join Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action as Presenting Partner and contribute to a platform that brings together marine science, technology, tourism, education, sustainability, and industry collaboration in one of the world’s most iconic diving regions,” said Jason Sockett, Territory Director at PADI. “Aqaba and the Red Sea continue to play an important role in the development of the regional dive community, and we look forward to engaging with dive professionals and partners from across the Middle East during the event.”

Since its establishment in 1966, PADI has issued more than 30 million certifications worldwide and today operates a network of over 6,600 dive centers and resorts across more than 180 countries and territories.

Located on Jordan’s Red Sea coastline, Aqaba has established itself as one of the region’s leading destinations for marine tourism and water sports. Its advanced infrastructure and internationally recognized diving environment along the Gulf of Aqaba provide the ideal setting for an event focused on the future of ocean industries.

Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action will be held at the Aqaba International Exhibition Centre and is hosted by the Aqaba Development Corporation. The event is organized by 1st Arabia for Conferences and Exhibitions in partnership with Fira Barcelona International and Salon Nautico Internacional de Barcelona, further strengthening its international profile and positioning Aqaba as a key hub for blue economy initiatives in the region.

Key Facts

• Event: Aqaba Blue: Ocean Future in Action

• Dates: 9–12 September 2026

• Location: Aqaba International Exhibition Centre, Aqaba, Jordan

• Presenting Partner: PADI

• Highlights: Regional Forum, PADI Regional Awards, Adaptive Support Diver training programme

• Host: Aqaba Development Corporation

• Organizers: 1st Arabia for Conferences and Exhibitions

• Partners: Fira Barcelona International and Salon Nautico Internacional de Barcelona

This collaboration underscores the growing importance of Aqaba and the Red Sea as a center for marine tourism, diving excellence, and the advancement of sustainable blue economy initiatives in the Middle East.