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MENA Oceans Summit 2025, 3rd Edition

The MENA Oceans Summit 2025 will be convened under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), in partnership with Emirates Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and strategically aligned with the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) 2025, bridging regional priorities with global commitments. 

Building on the outcomes of pivotal dialogues at the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) 2025, the 3rd Edition of the Summit unveils the Middle East Ocean Action Agenda: a transformative blueprint that identifies short and long term priorities and sets out actionable pathways to advancing SDG 14. Laying the foundation for close collaboration between the Middle East and North Africa region on shared priorities, the Agenda shapes a cohesive trajectory for ocean and coastal resilience and regenerative blue economy development across one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime regions.

The expanded format will also convene leading experts, practitioners, and decision-makers across high-level panels and thematic deepdive discussions to facilitate cross-sectoral ocean solutions with lasting impact.

“By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the MENA Oceans Summit serves as a unique platform that helps advance our collective understanding and foster regional collaboration to address the key marine issues pertinent to the MENA region. It's a crucial gathering that supports our ongoing environmental commitments and acknowledges the sea's integral role in the cultural and economic fabric of our region”.”
H.E. MS. RAZAN AL MUBARAK
Special Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs for Nature and IUCN President

Programme Highlights & Agenda

Summit Main Plenary | 8 Oct 

The Main Plenary will feature the presentation of the Middle East Ocean Action Agenda; the announcement of key strategic partnerships; and showcase regional progress through targeted briefings and dynamic cross-sector panel discussions.

MENA Ministerial Roundtable | 8 Oct

The MENA Ministerial convenes MENA ministries of Climate and Environment alongside regional entities to align on the priorities, partnerships, and pathways that will support the delivery of the Middle East Ocean Action Agenda and facilitate a stronger integration of thematic programmes with the North African region.

Thematic Deep Dive Sessions | 9 – 11 Oct

MENA Marine Protected Areas | MENA Regenerative Fisheries Majilis | Desalination & Water Management | MENA Regenerative Coastal Tourism | MObilising the Oceans Breakthroughs for ecosystem conservation. 

These invite-only technical sessions will bring together experts from science, policy, and industry to develop actionable frameworks on strategic themes central to regional marine and coastal priorities.

*Access to Deep Dive Sessions requires registration to IUCN WCC

“The UAE demonstrates a deep commitment to boosting its coastal ecosystems, which are integral to our national development, food security, and the blue economy. Our strategic location, coupled with our leadership in maritime trade and pioneering conservation efforts, uniquely positions us to drive regional and global ocean action. These waters, teeming with rich marine ecosystems like coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrasses, offer safe habitats for marine life. Hosting the third edition of the MENA Oceans Summit 2025 within the IUCN 2025 programme underscores the indispensable role of these ecosystems in fostering the health of our natural world. This summit will enable crucial collaboration and help translate our shared vision into tangible outcomes for a sustainable marine future across the MENA region and beyond, ensuring our oceans remain vibrant for generations to come.”
H.E. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak
Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
“The MENA Oceans Summit is a key part of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. This summit is more than a conference; it is a commitment to shared progress and a testament to the power of collaboration. By uniting policymakers, scientists, and communities from across the MENA region, we are paving the way for inclusive, science-based action towards a sustainable blue economy and a healthier future for all.”
H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri
Secretary General, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, IUCN Councillor for Western Asia and Vice Chair of the Global Council on SDG14

MENA Oceans Summit 2025 Agenda

MENA Oceans Summit 2025, Main Penary

Commencing with keynote addresses from H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak (UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment) and H.E. Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri (Secretary General, Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi), the main plenary will convene regional and global thought leaders for a series of panels across the Summit pillars of Blue Governance, Blue Science, Blue Economy, and Blue Finance. 

  • Date: 8th October
  • Time: 9:00 - 13:30

MENA High Level Regional Consultation: Governance & Policy

This high-level consultation will convene senior representatives from regional government and policymaking bodies and inter-governmental organisations from across the region, to explore collaborative mechanisms and thematic priorities that can support and guide national and regional efforts towards sustainable ocean management across our shared seas

  • Date: 8th October
  • Time: 15:00 - 17:30

The Regenerative Fisheries Majilis - UAE Edit

The first in a regional series, this Deepdive will spotlight traditional fishers, indigenous coastal communities, & government and industry stakeholders to help embed local knowledge, perspectives, & lived experience into blue food policy and governance. 

It will honour maritime heritage & the insights of those directly stewarding marine ecosystems, whose daily practices & generational wisdom are vital to shaping a sustainable, inclusive aquatic food future for the MENA region.

  • Date: 9th October
  • Time: 14:00 - 15:30

MENA Marine Protected Areas

This Deep Dive Session, convened in partnership with the IUCN World Commission for Protected Areas (WCPA) will enable pathways towards effective marine protected area design, management, and monitoring for the MENA region.

  • Date: 9th October
  • Time: 16:00 - 17:30

From decarbonisation to ocean health and biodiversity conservation in the maritime sector

Drawing on the Maritime Decarbonisation to Ocean Health and Biodiversity Roadmap developed by the Initiative in partnership with The UN Climate High Level Champions Team, the UN Foundation and the Sustainable Shipping Initiative. It aims to engage leading stakeholders from the maritime and shipping value chain on sectoral advances and priorities towards the promotion of a climate-smart, sustainable ocean-transport economy.

  • Date: 10th October
  • Time: 10:30 - 11:30

MENA Desalination & Water Management Working Group

The Desalination and Water Management sector, a fast-expanding pillar of the MENA blue economy, will be the focus of this Deepdive. Regional experts will explore pathways to embed ocean sustainability across the sector value chain. The session will link sector decarbonisation to improved outcomes for marine health and biodiversity.

  • Date: 10th October
  • Time: 14:00 - 15:30

Deep Dive Session: MENA Regenerative Coastal Tourism Working Group

Engaging the hospitality sector & allied marine & coastal tourism industries to initiate the formation of a Regional Working Group tasked with co-developing Regenerative Ocean Health Protocols. 

Framed with a view to informing regional policy processes, the session will lay the groundwork for establishing technical standards & best practices that advance climate-resilient, ecosystem-based management across coastal & island destinations.

  • Date: 10th October
  • Time: 16:00 - 17:30

Accelerating regional collaboration across the Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea & the Mediterranean Sea

This high-level panel will initiate a partnership framework led by the MENA Oceans Initiative in collaboration with IUCN’s ROWA, Mediterranean, and WCPA programmes to accelerate regional cooperation across the Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Mediterranean. The session will explore pathways to unlock scientific advances and mobilise effective ocean governance for transformative conservation outcomes.

  • Date: 10th October
  • Time: 18:15 - 19:00

Deep Dive Session: Mobilising the Ocean Breakthroughs through ecosystem connectivity in the MENA region

This Deepdive will align with the Mangrove, Seagrass, and Coral Breakthroughs to spotlight ambitious regional initiatives advancing ecosystem conservation and resilience. Framing a shared roadmap to COP30 and beyond, the session will surface synergies, progress, and strategic opportunities to accelerate nature-positive outcomes across the MENA region.

  • Date: 11th October
  • Time: 14:00 - 15:30
“The UAE demonstrates a deep commitment to boosting its coastal ecosystems, which are integral to our national development, food security, and the blue economy. Our strategic location, coupled with our leadership in maritime trade and pioneering conservation efforts, uniquely positions us to drive regional and global ocean action. These waters, teeming with rich marine ecosystems like coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrasses, offer safe habitats for marine life. Hosting the third edition of the MENA Oceans Summit 2025 within the IUCN 2025 programme underscores the indispensable role of these ecosystems in fostering the health of our natural world. This summit will enable crucial collaboration and help translate our shared vision into tangible outcomes for a sustainable marine future across the MENA region and beyond, ensuring our oceans remain vibrant for generations to come.”
H.E. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak
Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
“The MENA Oceans Summit is a key part of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. This summit is more than a conference; it is a commitment to shared progress and a testament to the power of collaboration. By uniting policymakers, scientists, and communities from across the MENA region, we are paving the way for inclusive, science-based action towards a sustainable blue economy and a healthier future for all.”
H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri
Secretary General, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, IUCN Councillor for Western Asia and Vice Chair of the Global Council on SDG14

Speakers

H.E. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak
Minister of Climate Change and Environment
UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri
Secretary General, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, IUCN Councillor for Western Asia and Vice Chair of the Global Council on SDG14

H.E. Sheikh Fahim Sultan al Qasimi
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Seafood Souq

H.R.H . Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman Alsaud
Chairman
Saudi Arabian Water Sports & Diving Federation

H.E. Hiba Al Shehhi
Assistant Undersecretary for Biodiversity and Marine
UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

H.E. Ahmed Esmaeil Alsayed Alhashmi
Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity (TMBS)
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif
Director General of Emirates Nature
WWF

Tatiana Antonelli Abella
Founder and Managing Director
Goumbook

Ashok Adicéam
Managing Director
Neptune Mission, Ministry for Europe & Foreign Affairs, Republic of France

Dr Tundi Agardy
Executive Director
Sound Seas

Ismail Alaoui
Principal - Global Water Team
Roland Berger

Hamdah Alaslai
Head of Marine Life Section
UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

Dr Nedal M. Alouran
Commissioner For Environment and Public Safety
Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)

Lubna Al Ameri
Lead - ADNOC Biodiversity Strategy Programs
ADNOC

Marina Antonopoulou
Chief Nature Conservation Officer
WWF

Mohammed Asfour
Partner
Asfour Investment & Management

Chris Gorell Barnes
Founding Partner
Ocean 14 Capital

Anuradha Bhattacharya
Director of MENA Oceans Initiative
Goumbook

Ayla Bajwa
Group Senior Vice President – Sustainability
DP World

Eng. Natalia Boulad
Programme Manager, Biodiversity & Protected Areas
IUCN ROYWA

Filippo Carli
Senior Projects’ Coordinator
IUCN ROWA

Prof. Ameer A. Eweida
Executive Steering Committee Member
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas

Prof Sergey Dobretsov
Professor at Sultan Qaboos University
UNESCO Chair in Marine Biotechnology at Sultan Qaboos University

Siham Fellahi
Blue Cconomy Program Implementation Unit Coordinator
Ministry of Economic and Finance

Dr Maryam Ficociello
Group Chief Governance Officer
Red Sea Global

Lyle Glowka
Principal
Biodiversity Strategies International

Dr. Radhoune ben Hamadou
Director- Research and Policy Development
Earthna

Carl Gustaf Lundin
Advisor
MSC Foundation

Maher Mahjoub
Regional Director
IUCN MED

Prof Nathalie Martial-Braz
Vice Chancellor
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Dr Manal Nader
Associate Professor and Director
Institute of the Environment, University of Balamand

Ahmed Mukhtar
Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to United Arab Emirates

Lisa Outtier
Chief Sustainability Officer IMEA
CMA CGM Group

Daniela Picco
Executive Director
MSC Foundation

Loreley Picourt
Executive Director
Ocean & Climate Platform

David Ramos
Senior Manager, Sustainability - MENAT
HSBC

Juan Antonio Romero
Senior Executive Adviser on Environment, Conservation and Research of the Dubai Reef Project
Department of Economy and Tourism Dubai

Thomas Sberna
Ocean Lead
UN Climate High Level Champions Team

Dr Hany El Shaer
Regional Director
IUCN ROWA

Obaid Ali Humaid Al Shamsi
Head of Marine Biodiversity Section
UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

Sarah Shaw
CEO
National CSR Fund (Majra)

Dr Taila Sherrard
Head of Commercial and Strategy
Acteon

Dr Corrado Sommariva
Founder and CEO
Sustainable Water Power Consultants

Prof Martin Visbeck
Chief Executive Officer
OceanQuest

Dr Heidi Weiskel
Acting Head - Global Ocean Team
IUCN

MENA OCEANS SUMMIT 2025 agenda

Who will attend

  • Global development, intergovernmental organisations, ocean governance experts
  • Industry leaders from the blue economy (maritime and shipping, tourism, aquaculture, construction, marine sports, desalination, coastal development, coastal tourism and more)
  • Government, regulators and policy makers
  • Research and academia
  • NGOs, civil society and media
  • Technology and innovation fore-runners in ocean science

MENA Oceans Summit:
Convening for Impact

The MENA Oceans Summit is the Initiative’s flagship convening, a key regional platform for advancing dialogue and fostering dynamic partnerships to deliver transformative solutions for ocean and coastal resilience, sustainable blue economy pathways, and transboundary governance.

Since its inception in 2023, the Summit has helped shape the long-term agenda for regional collaboration by:

  • bridging silos and convening diverse ocean-linked stakeholders from across the region, including policymakers, industry leaders and financiers, research and academia, youth and community;
  • laying the foundations of the MENA Oceans Network, thereby catalysing continued strategic engagement through thematic working groups;
  • amplifying regional representation on global platforms, including COP28, COP29, and the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3);
  • initiating targeted programmes focused on developing regionally relevant ecosystem and sector specific mobilisation roadmaps and insight papers
  • launching the first regional outlook review through the Regenerative Blue Economies for Coastal Resilience Programme

Impact in Numbers:

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deepdives & workshops
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Streams of Engagement

Blue Economy

Billions of people depend on healthy oceans for their livelihoods, food security, health, and recreation. Under the Blue Economy stream, the focus lies on developing sustainable pathways for integrated development of sustainable ocean sectors, while prioritizing ocean health and marine resources management. This includes innovative Blue Finance schemes and strategies for mitigating the effects of unsustainable practices.

Blue Goverance

Policy and marine governance play a key role in fostering accountability amongst countries to ensure successful multilateral partnerships. This stream brings together leaders to discuss strengthening governance for an ocean conservation plan within and beyond national jurisdictions; promoting and facilitating joint scientific research; and establishing strict frameworks for blue economies.

Blue Science

Advancing research and scientific innovations helps tackle the impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on marine and coastal ecosystems. Under the Research and Science stream we discuss key challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change, ocean plastic pollution, dead zones, and food insecurity as well as the outcomes of evidence-based innovative projects to address them.

Blue Collective

Engaging youth and communities through impact-driven awareness and educational sessions will prompt collective clean ocean action for ocean health. Take part in a curated masterclass, expand your knowledge by attending a Climate Fresk workshop – a gamified way to uncover the challenges, interlinkages, and solutions related to climate change -, or join us for a movie screening and a fireside chat with an inspiring clean oceans advocate!

Previous Speakers

HE Razan Al Mubarak
UN Climate Change High Level Champion, COP28
IUCN President

HE Marwan Abdulla Alzaabi
Assistant Undersecretary, Regions Sector
UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

HE Ahmed Esmaeil Alsayed Alhashmi
Executive Director, Terrestrial and Marine Sector
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi

HE Ambassador Nicolas Niemtchinow

Ambassador of the French Republic to the UAE

Ignace Beguin Billecocq
Exective Director
Mangrove Breakthrough, Ambition Loop

Dr. Ahmed Al Ansari
Advisor, Environmental Protection and Regeneration
Red Sea Global

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

Farid Al Awlaqi
Chief Executive Officer
Generation, TAQA

Ayla Bajwa
VP – Group Sustainability
DP World

Dr Reem Al Mealla
Founder
Nuwat for Environmental Research & Education

Prof. Mahmoud Hanafy
Scientific Consultant
HEPCA

Elayne Looker
Marine Consultant
5Oceans

Download insight papers from MENA Oceans Summit 2024

Sustainable Maritime Decarbonisation for Healthy Oceans

Young professionals for our oceans: Deep Dive outcomes and recommendations

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