Blue Talks: From Riyadh to Nice
“Towards resilient ocean and coastal futures” Middle East Regional Consultation in the lead up to the UN Ocean Conference 2025
13th February 2025, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is strategically positioned at the crossroads of some of the most vital global maritime corridors along the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and the Arabian Gulf. These waters sustain vital ecosystems thriving in extreme temperatures, support local economies and are key to global trade – making the sustainable management of seas, with a focus on blue economies and coastal development strategies a priority for the region.
The UNOC Blue Talks: From Riyadh to Nice proposes to serve as a pivotal forum for high-level dialogue to recognise the regional momentum that prioritises ocean action, define regional ocean priorities and shape the MENA region’s contributions to the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), setting the stage for meaningful action at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) and beyond.
This strategic multi-stakeholder discussion will feature panel discussions on important topics linking ocean governance – science – blue economies – finance; and will be facilitated by Ashok Adiceam, Deputy Special Envoy for UNOC3, France, to engage Arab ministries, embassies, senior leaders from key blue economy sectors, regulatory authorities, UN bodies, scientists, financiers and civil society organisations in a high level exchange on key developments for the Ocean.
About The Session
Organised by: MENA Oceans Initiative by Goumbook; in strategic partnership with the embassies of France & Costa Rica, and the UN Global Compact KSA
Date: 13th February 2025
Time: 14:00 – 17:00 KSA
Moderated by: Ashok Adiceam, General Delegate and Deputy Special Envoy to the President of France, for UNOC3
Who will attend: High level representation from Arab Ministries, regulatory authorities, international organisations and UN bodies, blue economy sectors, academia, financiers and civil society organisations
Agenda:
Ocean governance and national sustainability strategies
Advances in ocean sciences and coastal resilience programmes
Blue Economies: Leveraging Ports, Coastal Development, and Tourism for sustainable ocean management
Bridging Gaps and Unlocking Opportunities in Climate Financing and Blue Economy Investment
Expected Outcomes
Actionable regional priorities: A consolidated agenda of ocean-positive priorities, projects and achievements from the MENA region that could be highlighted during UNOC side events, further feeding into the ocean action agenda.
Aligned ocean governance frameworks: Raising the ambition for ocean protection through successful integration of ocean related multilateral processes into national ocean sustainability plans (including high seas treaty, plastics treaty, fisheries treaty)
Strengthened science-led partnerships: Enhanced collaboration to disseminate scientific knowledge, innovations and evidence based solutions for informed decision making by policy makers and the private sector.
Mobilising investments: Strategic recommendations for driving financing towards sustainable ocean projects, blue economy initiatives and the development of the Invest in Ocean Fund being launched by France / UNOC.
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