The Middle East’s First International Exhibition Dedicated to Diving, Marine Technology, and the Blue Economy
Date: 9–12 September 2026 Venue: Aqaba International Exhibition Centre (AIEC)
Location: Aqaba, Jordan Organized by: 1st Arabia & Fira Barcelona
Host Partner: Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) Website: www.abofa.jo
A new chapter in the global diving and marine industry calendar is about to be written, and it begins in Aqaba, Jordan. ABOFA 2026, or Aqaba Blue Ocean: Future in Action, is the region’s first international exhibition and conference platform dedicated entirely to diving, marine technology, water sports, and the blue economy. Taking place from 9 to 12 September 2026, the four-day event is set to position Aqaba as the Middle East’s emerging hub for ocean industries and marine innovation.
Organized by 1st Arabia and Fira Barcelona, one of the world’s leading exhibition companies, in partnership with the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), ABOFA brings together a powerful coalition of institutional support, global exhibition expertise, and regional market knowledge. The event will be hosted at the Aqaba International Exhibition Centre (AIEC), a state-of-the-art venue located near King Hussein International Airport.
What Is ABOFA?
ABOFA stands for Aqaba Blue Ocean: Future in Action. It is a large-scale international exhibition and conference designed to serve as a convergence point for the entire marine and coastal ecosystem, from dive equipment manufacturers and marine technology innovators to tourism operators, conservation researchers, government bodies, and ocean lifestyle brands.
Unlike traditional dive shows that focus primarily on consumer-facing gear expos, ABOFA takes a wider approach. It is structured as a B2B, B2G, and B2C platform, meaning it caters to business-to-business partnerships, government engagement, and direct consumer experiences simultaneously. This multi-layered model makes it relevant for dive industry professionals, marine scientists, policy makers, tourism developers, and diving enthusiasts alike.
Sectors and Focus Areas
ABOFA covers six interconnected sectors that together represent the full spectrum of the blue economy. The diving sector will showcase the latest equipment, training systems, and professional services for recreational and technical diving. Ocean technology will feature marine research tools, underwater robotics, monitoring systems, and innovations in marine science. Water sports and boating lifestyle will present everything from kayaking and paddleboarding to luxury recreational boating. Diving destinations and adventure tourism will spotlight coastal and underwater tourism offerings from around the region and beyond. Marine sciences and conservation will address coral restoration, marine protected areas, biodiversity research, and sustainable ocean management. Finally, the blue economy track will explore investment opportunities, policy frameworks, and the economic potential of ocean-based industries across the MENA region.
Why Aqaba?
The choice of Aqaba as ABOFA’s home is strategic and deeply symbolic. As Jordan’s sole coastal city and its gateway to the Red Sea, Aqaba sits at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, one of the most biologically significant marine corridors in the world. Despite a coastline of only 27 kilometres, Aqaba’s waters are home to over 500 species of fish, more than 150 species of hard corals, 120 species of soft corals, and approximately 1,000 species of molluscs.
The Gulf of Aqaba is classified as part of the Red Sea biogeographic zone, which the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has designated a Global 200 Eco-Region due to its exceptional marine biodiversity. What makes Aqaba’s reefs particularly remarkable is that they are the northernmost tropical reef systems in the world, and scientists have found that these corals show unusual resistance to rising sea temperatures, a characteristic that has attracted significant global research attention in an era of widespread coral bleaching.
Aqaba is also home to the Aqaba Marine Reserve, a protected area spanning 2.8 square kilometres that was established in 1997 to safeguard the region’s marine ecosystems. The reserve is currently under consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, further underscoring its global ecological significance. With over 30 diving sites, warm waters year-round, exceptional visibility, and a mix of natural reefs and artificial wrecks, including the famous Cedar Pride shipwreck, Aqaba has long been a favourite destination among divers from around the world.
Beyond the marine environment, Aqaba benefits from its position in Jordan’s so-called golden triangle of tourism, alongside Petra and Wadi Rum. This makes it an ideal base for an event that seeks to connect ocean industries with adventure tourism and cultural heritage.
Who Should Attend?
ABOFA is designed for a broad and diverse audience. Dive equipment manufacturers and distributors will find a platform to showcase products and establish regional partnerships. Dive centers, training agencies, and tour operators can explore new business opportunities and network with international counterparts. Marine technology companies and ocean science researchers will have the opportunity to present innovations and connect with investors and government stakeholders.
Tourism boards and destination marketers from across the region can position their offerings to a targeted audience of industry professionals and travel buyers. Government and policy makers engaged in blue economy development will find a dedicated space for dialogue and partnership building. And for diving enthusiasts, freedivers, underwater photographers, and ocean lifestyle communities, ABOFA offers a chance to engage directly with the brands, destinations, and innovations shaping the future of the sport.
The Organizers
ABOFA is organized by 1st Arabia, a leading regional event management company, in partnership with Fira Barcelona, one of Europe’s most established and internationally recognized exhibition organizers. This partnership combines Fira Barcelona’s decades of global expertise in delivering world-class trade fairs with 1st Arabia’s deep understanding of the Middle Eastern market and its regional networks. The Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) serves as the host partner, providing institutional support and ensuring alignment with Aqaba’s broader economic development strategy.
Sustainability and Conservation
ABOFA places a strong emphasis on sustainable development and marine conservation. The event will highlight Jordan’s ongoing efforts in coral reef protection and marine ecosystem management, including the work of the Aqaba Marine Science Station, which has been cultivating corals in laboratory and sea nursery settings for over 30 years and now maintains more than 30 underwater coral nurseries with thousands of colonies.
In an era when more than half of the world’s coral cover has been lost in the past 50 years, Aqaba’s corals, which have shown remarkable heat tolerance, represent a beacon of hope for reef science and restoration. ABOFA aims to bring this story to a global audience and to foster international collaboration on marine conservation, responsible diving practices, and sustainable coastal tourism development.
Book Your Space
Exhibitor registration is now open. Companies and organizations interested in showcasing their products, services, or destinations at ABOFA 2026 can register through the official event website at abofa.jo/book-your-space. Further announcements regarding the conference programme, international partnerships, speaker lineup, and featured experiences will be released in the coming months.
For Diventures Magazine readers, ABOFA represents a landmark moment, the arrival of a world-class ocean industry platform right here in our region. Whether you are a dive professional, a marine entrepreneur, a conservation advocate, or simply someone who lives for the next dive, September 2026 in Aqaba is a date to mark in your calendar.
Mohsen Nabil
Mohsen Nabil is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Diventures Magazine. A mechanical engineer and scuba diving instructor based in the Red Sea, he writes about diving safety, marine conservation, underwater exploration, and developments in the global dive industry. Through Diventures Magazine, he works to connect divers, scientists, and ocean advocates while promoting responsible diving and protection of the oceans.
