Regional Roundtable Series

Oceans at the Frontline: Harnessing Marine Ecosystems for Climate Action

Manama, April 2025Al Baraka Islamic Bank, Bahrain Bay · Manama

In partnership with

Roundtable overview

Putting marine ecosystems at the centre of resilience.

Hosted in collaboration with Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones (DANAT) and the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030), this high-level roundtable explored the intersection of marine ecosystem conservation and climate action as part of SFME’s 2025 Decarbonisation Roundtable Series.

The session opened with a fireside chat featuring Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director & Secretary General of WJI 2030, and Noora Jamsheer, CEO of DANAT, discussing the global jewellery industry’s commitment to sustainability and ocean stewardship.

Two expert-led panels followed. The first focused on sustainable pearling and its nature-positive impact on marine biodiversity, highlighting insights from DANAT and the Supreme Council for Environment. The second examined how key industrial sectors—shipping, aluminium, and infrastructure—are integrating marine conservation into their environmental strategies and supporting blue carbon initiatives.

Bringing together leaders from science, policy, and business, the roundtable underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing long-term climate and ecological resilience in the region.

Discussion focus