Blog

Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and produce at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, yet they face significant threats from pollution, overfishing, industries, coastal development and climate change.  Closing the science-policy-industry loop is essential for accelerating progress on SDG14—Life Below Water. UNESCO- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC) has emphasised that boosting ocean literacy is equally vital, engaging all levels of society to help restore our planet’s most valuable ecosystem.  Involving youth in these efforts is crucial, as they are the next generation of leaders who will drive sustainable practices and innovation in the blue economy.

The MENA Oceans Summit’s expansion this year with specialised deep-dive sessions added significant value, especially the Young Professionals for Our Oceans Workshop, bringing youth together from diverse backgrounds. The Workshop convened by Goumbook, in partnership with  the UN-UAE Office and the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Hub, Dubai, was facilitated  by Natacha Seker, Education and Collaboration Director – Goumbook; Alison Amoussou, Climate Change Specialist and Saif Awadh, Data Management & Youth Engagement Officer – both, at the United Nations UAE, Office.  The session demonstrates the summit’s commitment to raising awareness, inclusive engagement and capacity building.

The workshop overview highlights participants’ innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, while also revealing a significant knowledge gap regarding the marine ecosystem. The session underscored the importance of targeted educational initiatives and upskilling to address this gap and enhance engagement in marine conservation. It further emphasised the need for collaboration between governments, academic institutions, and the private sector to embed ocean awareness in education systems and create spaces for innovation and proof-of-concept development.  

The deepdive partners recommend establishing a Regional Network of Young Ocean Ambassadors to foster collaboration between youth and key ocean stakeholders, and creating comprehensive ocean literacy programs to deepen regional understanding of marine biodiversity. Additional recommendations include launching innovation competitions, encouraging creative storytelling on conservation, and expanding hands-on environmental initiatives, such as beach clean-ups and mangrove restoration, to engage youth in impactful ocean stewardship.