Yemen is distinguished by its strategic location bordering the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean. This grants it significant potential in what is known as the Blue Economy—the sustainable exploitation of marine and water resources. At the same time, Generation Z (those born after the mid-1990s) is emerging as a rising force characterized by technical knowledge, environmental awareness, and the ability to adapt quickly to digital developments.

The Importance of the Blue Economy in Sustainable Development

• Diversifying income sources away from reliance solely on oil or agriculture.
• Creating job opportunities in coastal areas and marine communities.
• Contributing to food security through fishing and aquaculture.
• Helping to address environmental challenges and climate change, such as rising sea levels and water pollution.
• Creating an environment for innovation and research, and utilizing modern technologies such as remote sensing, big data, and artificial intelligence to monitor marine resources.

Marine Resources in the Arabian Peninsula

• Fisheries Resources: Represent a significant food source and income for the coastal Arab population.
• Strategic Ports: Ports on the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean serve as gateways for international maritime trade.
• Marine Energy: Efforts are moving towards harnessing wave energy, offshore wind energy, and shifting towards renewable energy in general.
• Marine Diversity: Important marine environments consisting of islands and coral reefs, which hold significant biological and tourism value.

Challenges Facing the Blue Economy in the Region

• Marine pollution, overfishing, and the destruction of marine habitats such as coral reefs.
• Lack of infrastructure in some ports, and weak marine monitoring and management capabilities.
• Political conflicts and security crises that affect stability and investment.
• Climate changes such as rising water temperatures, increased frequency of cyclones, and rising sea levels.
• The high cost of most projects related to the Blue Economy.

Youth and Generation Z

Definition of Generation Z

They are those born after the mid-1990s up to the early 2000s, approximately between 1995–2010, and some classifications may extend their definition to 2012.

General Characteristics of Generation Z

• They are digitally literate from a young age; their usage of the internet, smartphones, and social platforms is high.
• They have a greater interest in social and environmental issues than previous generations.
• They lean towards innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups, and prefer flexibility and freedom in work.
• They are quick learners and adaptable, with the ability to use new tools and engage in self-learning.

The Impact of Generation Z on Innovation in the Blue Economy Sector

Technological Innovation

Generation Z is capable of:

• Using Big Data and satellites to monitor fish stocks, water quality, and cases of marine pollution.
• Developing smart applications for managing fishing, marine weather forecasting, navigation, vessel traffic monitoring, and more.
• Participating in securing digital infrastructures related to maritime activities.

The Role of the Government in Yemen in Supporting the Blue Economy

Current Government Policies

• Yemen has participated in international conferences on the Blue Economy, such as the “Sustainable Blue Economy Conference,” making it aware of the importance of the Blue Economy, which may contribute to building policies that serve this sector.
• Preparing feasibility studies for ports and fishing, and analyzing marine capabilities and coastal areas such as the Red Sea and Indian Ocean regions.

Proposed Future Initiatives

• Developing a comprehensive national strategy for the Blue Economy that brings together government entities, the private sector, and civil society.
• Encouraging investments through tax incentives, facilitating licensing, and supporting infrastructure.
• Emphasizing maritime sovereignty and security to ensure the stability of maritime operations and investments.
• Establishing research and training centers specialized in marine sciences, environmental management, and digital innovation related to water resources.

Investing in the Blue Economy

• Exploiting fishery resources and developing their transportation and marketing in a way that adds local value before export.
• Developing smart ports that facilitate maritime trade exchange, logistics services, storage, and export.
• Investing in offshore renewable energy where possible.
• Encouraging youth entrepreneurship in projects related to the marine environment, coastal tourism, vessel logistical support services, maritime piloting, and others.

International Aid and Technical Cooperation

• Benefiting from UN programs, the World Bank, and development institutions to fund training, research, and small enterprises related to the Blue Economy.
• Collaborating with environmental organizations and academic centers to obtain environmental impact assessment studies, develop sustainable policies, and acquire technology for marine environment monitoring.

Successful Projects

• “Fisheries – A Key Lever for Change in Yemen” illustrates how supporting fishing can be a pillar for development, especially for coastal families, while improving value-added and exports.
• Establishing youth practical training centers, such as the “Mr. Robot” project in Aden, which supports engineering and robotic skills and includes some aspects of environment and technology.

Inspiring International Experiences

• Experiences with smart ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, eco-tourism on various islands, and advanced fish farms.
• Other countries investing in renewable marine energy (wind and wave energy) in the Red Sea and nearby oceans.

Generation Z represents a golden opportunity to reshape the Blue Economy in Yemen, where the sea meets innovation, and technology meets sustainability. If this generation is supported by policies, funding, and regional partnerships, Yemen can transform from a country suffering from crises into a leading model in the Arabian Peninsula for a sustainable Blue Economy.