The MENA Oceans Initiative forges strategic regional collaborations, that bring diverse stakeholder groups out of their silos to accelerate the pace of ocean action.
Addressing Regional Priorities: Our Approach
The MENA Oceans Initiative by Goumbook, brings regional ocean priorities to the forefront, to drive tangible outcomes for SDG 14, ensuring sustainable management of our seas and blue economies.
By bridging the gap between academia, the private and public sectors, youth and civil society; our collaborative frameworks are aimed at prioritising science-based decision making, facilitating knowledge exchange and catalysing resources.
Our four collaborative frameworks include:
Summit
The largest regional cross-sectoral convening of ocean-linked stakeholders spanning 4 key themes:
- Blue Governance
- Blue Science
- Blue Economies
- Blue Collective
Network
A multi-stakeholder collaborative platform to catalyse resources and solutions towards critical regional priorities. Learn more about the Network and how to join.
Global Programmes
A mobilisation effort to amplify and embed regional stakeholder priorities and feedback into global frameworks.
Knowledge Hub
A digital repository to collate scientific evidence, research, insights and case studies to advance regional data sharing and informed decision making.
H.E. Ms. Razan Al Mubarak
UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, COP28
As the planet’s greatest carbon sink, a healthy ocean is absolutely crucial to our survival. It can protect against the worst impacts of climate change, ensures the survival of rich marine biodiversity and is vital to the livelihoods for billions of people. The MENA Oceans initiative offers a valuable and regional framework with science-based actions that work towards a healthier ocean and limiting global warming. 
Advisory Board
Tatiana Antonelli Abella
Founder, Goumbook Chair, MENA Oceans
Ignace Beguin Billecocq
Nature Head, Ocean and Coastal Zones Lead, UN Climate Change High Level Champion's Team
Abdul Rahim Sultan Al Qassimi
Director General, World Green Economy Organisation
Ashok Adicéam
Deputy Special Envoy to President of Republic of France, UN Ocean Conference 2025
Katherine Lester
Head of Office, UN UAE
Dr. Ameer Eweida
CEO’s Senior Advisor, Saudi Red Sea Authority; Deputy Vice-Chair, West Asia, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas
Rym Benzina
President, La Saison Bleue
Carlos Duarte
Executive Director, G20 CORDAP; Distinguished Professor, KAUST
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov
UNESCO Chair, Director, Center of Excellence - Marine Biotechnology, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
John A. Burt
Associate Professor, Head of Environmental Studies, NYUAD; Co-director, Mubadala ACCESS Center
Jamila El Mir
Senior Advisor to HE Razan Al Mubarak - COP28 High Level Climate Champion, UN Climate Change High Level Champion's Team
Dr. Reem Al Mealla
Founder, NUWAT Research Bahrain
Ibrahim Al Zu'bi
Co-founder, Emirates Diving Association Chair, Global Council SDG13
Knowledge Partners
MENA Oceans Related News
