
The MENA Oceans Initiative forges strategic regional collaborations, that bring diverse stakeholder groups out of their silos to accelerate the pace of ocean action.
Our Approach: Addressing Regional Priorities

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 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
The leading regional convening of cross-sectoral ocean stakeholders, to shape solutions bridging science, policy, industry and financing.

Network
A multi-stakeholder collaborative platform to catalyse resources and ocean solutions towards critical regional priorities. Learn more about the Network and how to join

Global Programmes
Integrate regional stakeholder priorities into global frameworks and initiatives, through strategic outreach and evidence based research.

Knowledge Hub
A digital repository of scientific evidence, research, insights and case studies to advance regional data sharing


H.E. Ms. Razan Al Mubarak
UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, COP28


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. Sergey Dobretsov
UNESCO Chair, Director, Center of Excellence - Marine Biotechnology, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

Carlos Duarte
Executive Director, G20 CORDAP; Distinguished Professor, KAUST

Ibrahim Al Zu'bi
Co-founder, Emirates Diving Association Chair, Global Council SDG13

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

Jamila El Mir
Advisor, Dubai Environment & Climate Change Authority; Insights & Activations Lead, WAVE Global

John A. Burt
Associate Professor, Head of Environmental Studies, NYUAD; Co-director, Mubadala ACCESS Center

Dr. Reem Al Mealla
Founder, NUWAT Research Bahrain
Knowledge Partners
