Middle East Mangrove Knowledge Hub

The Middle East Mangrove Knowledge Hub is a science-led, capacity-building programme designed to unite regional partners around a shared vision for mangrove conservation, restoration, and management.

Rooted in the regional contextualization of the GMA’s Global Learning Strategy, it aims to make global best practices accessible, applicable, and actionable across the Middle East.

Hosted and enabled by Goumbook, in partnership with HSBC and advised by Wetlands International, it represents an open invitation to all stakeholders to co-create the Hub together and strengthen the regional community of practice for mangrove resilience.

Mission

Advancing regional capacity for ecosystem restoration.

Establishing foundations for a comprehensive regional mangrove capacity development and learning strategy to deliver on the Mangrove Breakthrough.

Vision

To drive science-led mangrove restoration in the region by bridging gaps in knowledge, capacity, and implementation through inclusive, cross-sector collaboration.

In a region where science-led mangrove restoration has long been underrepresented in both policy and practice, the Hub aims to be a catalyst; convening regional stakeholders, international experts, and cross-sectoral partners, to bridge critical gaps in knowledge, capacity, and implementation.

Key Objectives

Insight gathering:

Through global best practices and locally grounded solutions, The Hub will:

Map stakeholders, needs, and gaps to guide regional learning and capacity building

Build learning ecosystems with accessible, science-based tools

Engage local actors as restoration stewards, including private sector and communities

Scale and replicate best practices through piloting, research, and innovation

Identify pipeline projects to mobilise resources and partnerships

Support policy alignment through LMMA frameworks and NDC integration

Elevate regional leadership through knowledge exchange and success stories

Stakeholder groups

Policy makers and regulatory bodies
Private sector
Scientists and researchers
Conservation organisations & NGOs
Local communities

INFORGRAPHIC TO BE UPDATED TO THE LIST ABOVE

Project roadmap

Who and how to join?

Institutional Partners

Provide institutional endorsement and policy alignment
Facilitate stakeholder coordination — help convene key actors, support access to data, and foster inter-ministerial collaboration across environment, climate, and education sectors.
Enable implementation at scale — provide regulatory and logistical support for restoration pilots, awareness programmes, and capacity-building activities in-country

Advising Partners

Oversight on the regional framework emerging and any contextualization proposed to the GMA Global Learning Strategy
Review of the content and methodology of the regional workshop developed and delivered by the training partner
Active participation in the Regional Working Group, providing technical and strategic input.

Knowledge Partners

Contribute technical expertise and peer review — validate training materials, regional guidelines, and scientific content to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Collaborate on research and data collection — co-develop region-specific studies and support the creation of a regional knowledge repository.
Engage in capacity development — participate in trainings, workshops, and advisory groups to strengthen the scientific foundation of the Hub.

Supporting Partners

Provide financial or in-kind support — fund specific project components such as workshops, research, or community initiatives.
Champion the initiative through visibility and advocacy — amplify regional and global awareness of the Hub’s goals and outcomes.
Invest in long-term capacity and innovation — support the development of regional learning ecosystems, monitoring tools, and digital platforms that ensure sustainability.