Sorbonne Abu Dhabi Hosts Global Ocean Futures Symposium

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) recently hosted a landmark international symposium, Ocean Futures: Advancing Decarbonisation and Innovation in Shipping and Marine Biodiversity through Law, Policy, and AI, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and academics from around the globe. The event highlighted the urgent need for collaborative solutions to protect oceans while advancing sustainable maritime practices.

The symposium, held at SUAD’s Al Reem Island campus, formed part of the university’s Year of Ocean initiative and was organised in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL) at the National University of Singapore. The programme also received support from the Swiss Embassy in the UAE, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the MENA Oceans Initiative by Goumbook.

Participants explored innovative legal, technological, and policy approaches to ocean governance. Key discussions focused on decarbonising the maritime industry, integrating biodiversity protection into shipping practices, and leveraging AI and robotics for effective marine monitoring. Experts stressed that equitable global strategies are crucial, particularly for supporting developing nations in transitioning toward net-zero shipping.

The symposium further highlighted emerging technological solutions such as the Blue AI project, a citizen-science platform addressing plastic pollution in Gulf waters. Panelists emphasised the importance of transparent data sharing, research collaboration, and cross-sector partnerships to create resilient governance frameworks that balance economic activity with ecological protection.

SUAD and APCEL announced plans to co-author a policy brief and peer-reviewed academic paper capturing the symposium’s key insights. These outputs aim to guide evidence-based policymaking and foster new partnerships across research, government, and industry sectors, reinforcing the UAE’s growing role as a regional hub for ocean sustainability dialogue.