Morocco’s Blue Economy Program Management Unit (UGP) Participates in the MENA Oceans Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi

The Blue Economy Program Management Unit (UGP) of Morocco took part in the third edition of the MENA Oceans Summit 2025, a major regional event held under the Patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), in partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Aligned with the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC 2025), the event brought together policymakers, scientists, and ocean stakeholders from across the MENA region to strengthen regional cooperation and promote a sustainable and regenerative blue economy.

A Strategic First for Morocco in Regional Ocean Governance

The first day of the summit marked the launch of an ambitious regional dialogue through the High-Level Regional Consultation on Governance and Policies, chaired by H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman Alsaud, President of the Saudi Water Sports Federation.
The session gathered representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, NGOs, and the scientific community to explore mechanisms for collaboration and to define shared thematic priorities for the sustainable management of shared seas and oceans.

During this session, Ms. Siham Fellahi, Program Officer for the Blue Economy Development Program in Morocco within the Budget Directorate (Ministry of Economy and Finance), presented Morocco’s progress in blue economy governance and the development of a national sustainable and inclusive strategy.
She emphasized the importance of an integrated and participatory approach involving institutional, economic, and territorial actors to enhance the coherence of maritime and coastal policies at both national and regional levels.
Her intervention reflected Morocco’s strong commitment to positioning the blue economy as a driver of sustainable development, innovation, and job creation, while strengthening the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems.

Regenerative Coastal Tourism: A Pillar of a Sustainable Blue Economy

The UGP also participated in a thematic session on sustainable coastal tourism, bringing together key industry players — operators, NGOs, regulators, and researchers — to develop a roadmap for regenerative tourism in the MENA region.
Discussions highlighted the need to restore ecosystems, empower local communities, and integrate sustainable practices into tourism operations.
Three priority areas emerged: sustainable infrastructure and operations, ecological and social resilience, and governance frameworks aligned with ESG standards.
A regional Working Group will be established to define common standards for sustainable and regenerative marine tourism, supporting the MENA Blue Economies for Coastal Resilience Outlook Report and the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough initiatives.

Morocco, a Key Player in the Regional Blue Economy

Through its participation in this major event, the Ministry of Economy and Finance showcased Morocco’s significant progress in advancing the blue economy and reaffirmed its commitment to making it a strategic lever for sustainable growth.
This participation also enabled the Ministry to contribute to regional dialogues, strengthen cooperation with international partners, and engage in key regional platforms dedicated to the blue transition.

About the Morocco Blue Economy Program Management Unit (UGP)

The Blue Economy Program Management Unit (UGP) operates under the Ministry of Economy and Finance – Budget Directorate.
Its mission is to coordinate, implement, and monitor the Blue Economy Program in Morocco, which aims to foster the sustainable development of maritime and coastal sectors, enhance integrated ocean governance, and promote the creation of high-value blue jobs.
This national program, supported by the World Bank, is part of the Kingdom’s strategy for sustainable and inclusive growth, placing environmental sustainability and climate resilience at the heart of its economic development model.