MENA Oceans Summit Driving Forward Ocean Conservation And Sustainable Blue Economies

The 2nd Annual MENA Oceans Summit is set to take place in Dubai, bringing together thought leaders, decision makers, and practitioners from various sectors to discuss ocean health and blue economies. Under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, the event aims to foster dialogue and collaborative action in four key areas: Blue Economy, Blue Governance, Blue Science, and Blue Collective.

The summit is a significant milestone in the lead up to the United Nations Oceans Conference 2025 in Nice, France, where stakeholder priorities and roadmaps will be mapped. Strategic partners for the event include Race to Zero, Race to Resilience, United Nations UAE Resident Coordinator Office, and United Nations Oceans Conference 2025. Other partners include Fugro, DP World, Strategy&, and various knowledge partners such as Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) and Gulf Women in Environmental Sciences (GWIES).

Goumbook, a leading social enterprise promoting sustainability and climate action across the region, will be hosting the event at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. The summit will gather a diverse range of stakeholders to discuss ocean health and address the key marine issues relevant to the MENA region.

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, COP28 and IUCN President, highlights the importance of the summit as a platform for advancing collective understanding and fostering regional collaboration. She acknowledges the crucial role that the sea plays in the cultural and economic fabric of the region and emphasizes the need to address marine issues effectively.

Dr. Mohammed AlHammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Biodiversity sector at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, emphasizes the integral role marine ecosystems play in the UAE's social, cultural, and environmental tapestry. He highlights the importance of conserving and protecting the seas for economic development, livelihood, biodiversity, and food security. The Ministry is committed to driving action to tackle climate change and preserve ocean health, working to boost regulatory, legislative, and financial frameworks for sustainable marine ecosystems.

Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder of Goumbook and Chair of MENA Oceans Summit, emphasizes the profound dependence society has on nature, particularly the ocean. Collaborating with nature and safeguarding the oceans is not just an option but an imperative for the benefit of future generations. Responsible stewardship and collective action are crucial to protecting and preserving the ocean's health.

The summit has two main goals: forging cross-border collaboration for targeted solutions and cultivating and elevating a collective regional voice. The event aims to break down barriers and build bridges across geopolitical boundaries and sectoral silos, fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge among nations, industries, academia, and non-profits within the region. By unifying and amplifying the voices of diverse stakeholders, the initiative aims to enhance the region's influence and participation in international efforts dedicated to ocean conservation.

Industry deep dives and round table strategic discussions with key stakeholders will be a key feature of the summit. These deep dives will identify challenges, innovations, and opportunities that can have a positive impact on ocean ecosystems. Insights and outcome papers will capture key insights from the summit and deep dive sessions to contribute to discussions with key partners in the lead up to UNOC 2025.

DP World, convening the shipping and maritime deep dive, emphasizes the importance of innovation and collaboration in fostering healthy and resilient marine ecosystems. They are committed to promoting cross-border collaboration and advancing action towards ocean health globally.Strategy& is convening the MENA Conservation Projects and Blue Tech deep dive, recognizing the unique environmental importance, scientific potential, and cultural significance of oceans. They are proud to be at the forefront of the effort to enable crucial collaboration in ocean exploration and conservation.

Roland Berger, a knowledge partner, supports the summit's outcome paper and highlights the central role of the blue economy in promoting sustainable growth and innovation. They emphasize the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to preserve and enhance marine resources, driving solutions with a significant impact locally and globally.

The MENA Oceans Network will be activated following the summit, aiming to elevate awareness about the region's marine environments, cultivate partnerships, and extend the region's collective voice to disseminate solutions for global benefits. The MENA Oceans Initiative, network, and summit take a comprehensive approach to address complex ocean challenges and drive positive change in the MENA region and beyond.

The MENA Oceans Initiative was established following last year's MENA Oceans Summit, recognizing the need for a regional platform dedicated to enhancing cooperation across research, private sector, and government bodies. The initiative aims to amplify and align the priorities of MENA stakeholders on a global scale during international dialogues such as the UN Ocean Conference and UNFCCC COP29.

The MENA Oceans Summit 2024 promises to be an important event in shaping ocean health and promoting collaboration among stakeholders in the MENA region. It serves as a platform for sharing regional perspectives, fostering innovation, and driving meaningful action on a global level.