10th edition of the Ocean Innovators Platform in Abu Dhabi

On Wednesday, 14 January 2026, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Frontier25, a UAE-based climate change advisory, co-hosted the 10th edition of the Ocean Innovators Platform (OIP) at the Four Seasons Hotel on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. The event convened leading industry decision-makers, senior private and institutional investors, and innovative entrepreneurs for an afternoon of curated conversations, panel discussions, and pitch sessions, fostering dialogue at the intersection of ocean innovation, finance, and sustainability.

The event opened with a keynote from Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of Frontier25.

Her Highness said: “The growth of the blue economy does not rely on how much more we can gain but rests on how much more we can give. So much of the world below remains unknown, and yet our lives depend on it. To thrive on the surface, we must take care of what lies beneath.”  

Fireside chats and panels featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Olivier Wenden, Dr. Mafalda Duarte, Captain Saif Al Mheiri, Waleed Altamimi, Kevin Czok, Vriko Yu, Benjamin Dineshkar, Kornel Tetera, Géraldine Andrieux, Christophe Lefebvre, Jérémy Genin, Rabjir Talwar and Julia Bauer. Discussions animated by Tola St. Matthew-Daniel focused on a resilient blue economy and the sustainable transition of the maritime industry, two critically important challenges with the potential to deliver significant climate and biodiversity benefits at a global scale.

Anchored in Abu Dhabi, the event reflected the region’s ambition to play an active role in the transformation of the maritime sector. The different sessions provided a regional lens on global shipping challenges, linking policy, technology, and investment considerations within the UAE’s evolving maritime ecosystem and its engagement with international markets.

“Ocean innovation sits at the crossroads of environmental responsibility and economic opportunity,” said Olivier Wenden, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “This 10th Ocean Innovators Platform in Abu Dhabi highlights the maturity of the blue economy and the strong regional appetite for solutions that accelerate low-carbon transition and sustainable shipping. The United Arab Emirates’ dynamism in this field reinforces the Foundation’s plan to open a branch in the region to scale impactful initiatives.”

Key takeaways from discussions at the event include:

1. Building the Foundations of a Resilient Blue Economy: Speakers outlined the key scientific and economic trends shaping the future of the ocean, highlighting major risks and opportunities for governments, industry leaders, and investors seeking to support sustainable growth across ocean-related sectors.

2. Sustainability Perspectives Across the UAE’s Maritime Ecosystem: Regional leaders shared insights into best practices, emerging solutions, and current challenges shaping the maritime sector in the Gulf, providing valuable context for understanding both regional leadership and future opportunities in sustainable shipping.

3. Decarbonising Maritime Transport: Panellists explored practical pathways to decarbonising global shipping, from alternative fuels and efficiency technologies to regulatory frameworks and infrastructure requirements. Discussions examined the technical, financial, and operational barriers that continue to slow progress, while clarifying what is achievable today, what systemic shifts are required, and how collaboration can accelerate the transition at scale.

4. Investing in the Sustainable Transition of Shipping: Investors discussed where the most compelling opportunities lie across the maritime value chain — from breakthrough technologies to enabling infrastructure — and how capital can support deployment at scale. The session examined how investors assess technology maturity, commercial viability, regulatory trends, and the mechanisms needed to de-risk innovation and unlock broader adoption.

The event also provided entrepreneurs, such as Bound4Blue, NatureMetrics, ATV Technologies, and ECOncrete, with the opportunity to present their impact-driven solutions through pitch sessions. These presentations generated strong engagement from the audience, leading to requests for follow-up discussions and potential collaborations.

The Ocean Innovators Platform was the occasion to reaffirm the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s and Frontier25’s shared commitment to advancing impact investment, ocean innovation, and blue finance. Willing to strengthen their collaboration, the two entities officialised the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing a complementary partnership aimed at catalysing meaningful and lasting impact for the ocean.

©The Climate Tribe