The MENA Oceans Initiative
forges strategic regional collaborations, that bring diverse stakeholder groups out of their silos to accelerate the pace of ocean action.
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 while fostering a sustainable blue economy.
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
Convening leading cross-sectoral ocean stakeholders from the region and beyond, to shape solutions bridging science, policy, industry and financing.
Network
Catalysing solutions for climate-resilient ecosystems and sustainable blue economies through a multi-stakeholder collaborative hub.
Global Programmes
Integrating regional priorities into global frameworks and amplify impact through strategic stakeholder mobilisation and evidence based research.
Research & Science
Bridging the gap between scientific research and industry applications, to enable knowledge sharing and best practice benchmarking.
Our Approach: Addressing Regional Priorities
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
H.E. Sheikh Fahim Sultan Al Qasimi
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Seafood Souq
Tatiana Antonelli Abella
Founder & MD, Goumbook Chair, MO Initiative
Ashok Adicéam
Chief Executive of Mission Neptune; Deputy Special Envoy for UNOC3, Government of France
Thomas Sberna
Ocean Lead
UN Climate High Level Champions
Abdul Rahim Sultan Al Qassimi
Director General,
World Green Economy Organisation
Ignace Beguin Billecocq
Executive Director Mangrove Breakthrough, Ambition Loop
Katherine Lester
Head of Office UN UAE
Prof. Carlos Duarte
Executive Director, G20 CORDAP Distinguished Professor, KAUST
Prof. John A. Burt
Associate Professor, Head of Environmental Studies, NYUAD Co-Director Mubadala ACCESS Center
Prof. Ameer Eweida
Executive Committee, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Fellow, AEON Collective Chief Scientific Advisor, MO Initiative
Rumaitha Al Busaidi
Vice President
Environment Society Oman
Suaad Al Harthi
Executive Director
Environment Society Oman
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov
UNESCO Chair Director, Center of Excellence - Marine Biotechnology, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Dr. Radhouan ben Hamadou
Director - Research & Policy Development Earthna, Qatar Foundation
Rym Benzina
President La Saison Bleue
Jamila El Mir
Advisor, Dubai Environment & Climate Change Authority; Insights & Activations Lead WAVE Global
Ibrahim Al Zu'bi
Co-founder, Emirates Diving Association Chair, Global Council SDG13
Knowledge Partners
Insights & News
From Turning Point to Delivery: Ocean, Climate, and the MENA Moment
Contributed by Dr. Kilaparti Ramakrishna Senior Advisor to the President and Director on Ocean and Climate...
How a Tunisian Island Is Leading Seagrass Restoration in the Mediterranean
Contributed by Nada Abdelkader (Marine Ecologist; MENA Oceans Network Domain Specialist) A team of Tunisian...
An Action Plan to Save the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin
Once common across the western Indian Ocean, the humpback dolphin now persists in small, shrinking...
