Ocean conservation—especially high-value ecosystems like coral reefs—has often been viewed as “too risky” for mainstream capital. This dialogue challenges that narrative by showcasing blended-finance structures where public, philanthropic, and catalytic capital absorb early risk to crowd in private investment. It will explore how capital can be sequenced—from funding frontier science and innovation to building investable pathways—so coral solutions can move from pilots to bankable projects.

Using case studies such as Blue Bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and risk-sharing facilities, participants will examine how investors can pursue competitive returns while delivering measurable biodiversity and resilience outcomes. A dedicated focus will position corals as living assets and natural infrastructure, and highlight how CORDAP (the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform) and similar partners are accelerating the standards and pipelines needed to scale investment in coral conservation and restoration.

Philanthropy is evolving from pure grant-making to catalytic capital. This session is designed for family offices and foundations looking to leverage their funds for maximum leverage. We will discuss the “spectrum of capital,” moving from traditional grants to impact investing and recoverable grants. The goal is to identify how philanthropic capital can seed the next generation of bankable ocean solutions, creating a pipeline for larger institutional investors.

Innovation is the engine of the new Blue Economy. This session connects venture capitalists and angel investors with pioneers in marine technology—from AI-driven coral monitoring systems to autonomous waste-collection drones. The discussion will focus on the scalability of these technologies and the foreign investment opportunities available for companies looking to manufacture and deploy these solutions within the MENA region and beyond.

With 90% of world trade transported by sea, the decarbonization of shipping is a critical investment frontier. This dialogue gathers corporate leaders and trade ministers to discuss financing the transition to green fuels and sustainable port infrastructure. We will explore how “Green Shipping Corridors” are creating new avenues for foreign direct investment (FDI) and reshaping global trade routes to be both profitable and planet-positive.

Saudi Arabia is pioneering the concept of “Regenerative Tourism” through giga-projects like The Red Sea Project and NEOM. This dialogue invites hospitality investors and real estate developers to explore how conservation-first development can drive premium value. We will look at how investing in natural assets—such as mangrove forests and coral nurseries—enhances the resilience and long-term profitability of coastal tourism assets.