Harnessing Marine Ecosystem Services and Transforming to Sustainable Blue Economy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (HESBERSGA)

Mawael Environmental Consultancy supported the preparation phase of the HESBERSGA programme by developing a comprehensive set of environmental and social safeguard instruments aligned with Global Environment Facility (GEF) requirements. The assignment included the preparation of an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), a Gender Action Plan (GAP), and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) to ensure environmental protection, social inclusion, and transparent stakeholder participation throughout programme implementation. The work involved environmental and social risk assessment, institutional analysis, stakeholder mapping, gender assessment, and the development of practical mitigation and monitoring procedures. Recommendations were prepared to strengthen governance, improve environmental and social performance, promote gender equality, and establish effective engagement mechanisms across participating countries. The resulting safeguard framework provides a structured foundation for implementing sustainable Blue Economy initiatives while protecting marine ecosystems, supporting coastal communities, and enhancing regional environmental cooperation across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.