Blue Waves, Green Future: The time for action is now
The ocean sustains the global ecosystem, supporting biodiversity, food security, and economic growth. Covering 75% of the planet and holding 97% of its water, it hosts 80% of Earth's biodiversity and supplies nearly 15% of the world’s dietary protein, underscoring its central importance to both planetary health and human well-being.
Today, the global ocean economy generates an estimated USD 3–4 trillion annually—equivalent to ~3–4% of global GDP—driven by sectors such as maritime transport, coastal tourism, and offshore energy. Its large value chain employs more than 400 million people, accounting for approximately 5% of the global workforce.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s ocean system is poised to become a critical pillar of economic diversification and industrial transformation. We estimate that the region’s ocean economy could reach USD 300–500 billion by 2030—accounting for up to 10% of regional GDP—driven by both mature maritime sectors and rapidly emerging blue industries. Tourism, for example, is growing at an annual rate of ~8% and could contribute USD 200–300 billion by the end of the decade. The region is also expanding its offshore renewable energy footprint, including wind and hydrogen, to advance its energy transition and sustainability targets. Innovation is accelerating, with ocean-related technologies projected to grow 38% annually in revenue—spanning marine waste management, carbon mitigation, and CCUS solutions. In parallel, marine biotechnology is emerging as a high-potential sector, leveraging the region’s 20,000 kilometers of coastline and rich biodiversity, supported by a growing network of specialized research institutions.
The MENA region also actively contributes to global ocean sustainability through international partnerships and governance frameworks. MENA countries collaborate with United Nations initiatives such as UNEP’s Regional Seas Programmer – including regional conventions for the Red Sea (Jeddah Convention), and Gulf (Kuwait Convention) – to jointly manage shared marine environments in alignment with global conservation goals. The region’s leadership is also evident in high-level alliances like the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. Furthermore, The MENA Oceans Initiative, launched in partnership with the UN Climate Champions Team, UN UAE, and the World Green Economy Organization, unites policymakers, scientists, and industry to advance sustainable ocean development and amplify the region’s voice in international ocean governance.
Key challenges for MENA ocean system development include unsustainable development and insufficient biodiversity protection. Marine degradation is worsened by unsustainable practices, for example, the region’s highest per capita plastic pollution (Hasegawa et al., 2023), which affects fisheries and tourism. Poorly structured urban development contributes to coastal erosion, with areas like the Maghreb seeing some of the fastest rates, undermining local economies. Rising sea temperatures and levels threaten ecosystems, and the lack of cross-border regulation delays the effective use of resources like hydrogen and solar power.
This is due to a lack of efficient cross-border cooperation, low public awareness, and insufficient funding. Immediate, coordinated action is needed to prevent irreversible damage to both nature and human prosperity.
The Blueprint for Action
Recognizing these challenges and against the backdrop of the UN Ocean Conference 2025 focuses on “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” participants in the “Blue Talks: From Riyadh to Nice” examined critical pathways for the MENA region to demonstrate ambitious leadership in ocean and identified key levers to address these challenges. By collectively implementing these levers, the region will be able to overcome the challenges and achieve sustainable ocean economy development and ocean resource utilization.
- Blue Governance to regulate unsustainable activities.
Fragmented policies and weak cross-border coordination hinder marine management. This framework should include strategies such as marine spatial planning, expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and integrating green and blue initiatives to incorporate ocean conservation principles into all marine activities, fostering a more coordinated and sustainable approach to ocean management. - Blue Science to protect and restore the ocean environment.
The gap between research and practical solutions, along with poor data-sharing, hampers our response to climate threats. To overcome this, we need a resilience-based scientific framework and the promotion of innovative technologies in marine activities and engineering projects. Standardizing marine data and providing real-time insights to policymakers is crucial for protecting ecosystems and enabling swift action. - Blue Economy to coordinate sustainable coastal development.
Unsustainable economic development is pushing marine ecosystems and food security to the brink. To reverse this, we can leverage regenerative practices and invest in nature conservation. This requires embracing a regenerative blue economy, scaling sustainable coastal development, leveraging industry infrastructure, and mapping marine ecosystems to optimize resource management. - Blue Finance to scale innovation in ocean-related industries.
The steep costs of adaptation and the lack of robust blue finance mechanisms are major roadblocks to large-scale conservation and resilience efforts. To break through these barriers, we must transform the ocean economy into a high-value, investable asset class by scaling up financial tools like blue bonds, carbon markets, and blended finance. A stronger integration with climate and biodiversity funding will unleash the capital needed to drive massive conservation initiatives and supercharge ocean resilience. - Blue campaigns to increase public awareness.
Lack of awareness in local communities hinders the successful implementation of ocean sustainability-related initiatives. Region-wide public education campaigns are needed to mobilize communities to participate in all related initiatives, along with capacity-building programs to foster knowledge exchange on marine management across private players and local governments. - Charting a Green Horizon for Blue Waves.
Establishing a structured and coordinated mechanism, among members of MENA Ocean Initiatives, to identify, prioritize, and align regional priorities from MENA member countries, ensuring a well-participated and impactful roadmap for Blue Ocean development, is required to address the aforementioned challenges. The following key actions are a recommendation for key stakeholders in the regional ecosystem:- Governments: Consider regulating unsustainable ocean activities and exploring cross-border diplomacy to coordinate coastal development, while creating incentives for blue finance and blue science. Explore nationwide education programs and training on ocean sustainability.
- Financial Institutions: Develop innovative blue financing tools targeting the demand of the ocean system and integrate the topic with green finance.
- Private Sector: Scale sustainable coastal development using blue finance tools to transform ocean activities into high-value investments with built-in conservation.
- Local Communities: Actively participate in unified coastal planning and sustainable development initiatives to ensure conservation strategies are locally relevant and support resilient, community-based ocean management.
By taking these steps, the MENA region can emerge as a model for regional cooperation and a global leader in ocean sustainability.
References
- CEIBS. (2020, May 18). China must take leadership on protecting the environment. Retrieved from CEIBS.
- Hasegawa, K., Mansour, L., Lotayef, D., Yoshijima, S., & Kutter, A. (2023, 6 12). Plastic pollution in MENA oceans: Transboundary problem in need of transboundary solutions. Retrieved from World Bank.
- Heger, M. P., Vashold, L., Palacios, A., Alahmadi, M., Bromhead, M.-A., & Acerbi, M. (2022). Blue Skies, Blue Seas. Washington DC: World Bank.
- Larbi, L. (2016, December 21). Tunisia could lose 10 % of GDP because of environmental dangers that threaten its coastline. Retrieved from Zawya.
- Osman, S. (2024, 4 15). Assessing Climate Adaptation Plans in the Middle East and North Africa. Retrieved from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- Red Sea Dive. (n.d.). Marine Life of the Red Sea. Retrieved from Red Sea Dive.
- Shams. (2024). Red Sea Coral Reefs. Retrieved from Shams.
- The Economist. (2017, May 27th). How to improve the health of the ocean. Retrieved from the Economist.
- Thomson, P. (2017, May). The Ocean Conference: A Game-Changer. Retrieved from UN Chronicle.
Appendix
Insights drawn from:
Blue Talks: From Riyadh to Nice, held as the Middle East Regional Consultation for the UN Ocean Conference 2025
About the Blue Talks
The "Blue Talks: From Riyadh to Nice – Towards Resilient Ocean and Coastal Futures" hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh on February 13, 2025 marked the culmination of this comprehensive mobilization drive in the lead up to UNOC3 to highlight the region’s – specifically, the Middle East’s – unique position, advancements and arising opportunities that can enhance ocean positive interventions.
As the official Middle East Regional Consultation, the session convened high-level stakeholders including policy makers, UN entities, the public and private sectors, leading scientists and academia, not-for-profit entities, and youth representatives to outline regional perspectives and priorities that must feature in the global mandate.
Convened by:
MENA Oceans: An Initiative by Goumbook; in partnership with BCG
With the support of:
The Embassies of France and Costa Rica (non-resident) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Strategic partners:
UNGC KSA, AEON Collective, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
Outreach Partners:
WAVE