Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

On 9^th January, 2025, the chairpersonship of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) officially transitioned from the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS). The handover took place online and was attended by over 100 participants. Saudi Arabia is the first nation in the Middle East to host this initiative.

The initiative was co-chaired by Dr. Khaled Asfahani, CEO of SHAMS, and Dr. Abdulaziz Alsuwailem, SHAMS’ Chief Conservation and Strategy Officer until mid 2026, then Dr Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife and General Supervisor for SHAMS, thereafter. Their leadership highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global champion for coral reef conservation and its commitment to sustainable marine ecosystem management.

Saudi Arabia’s chairpersonship of ICRI underscores the nation’s technical expertise, innovative conservation strategies, and dedication to protecting marine biodiversity, as aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 environmental goals.

Building on ICRI’s successful past, the 2025–2027 Plan of Action, emphasises global collaboration and measurable outcomes. The plan prioritises regions with high ecological value, including the Red Sea, South Asia, and East Africa. SHAMS will work closely with neighbouring regions to enhance capacities and bring local challenges and opportunities to the forefront. This inclusive approach aligns with ICRI’s mission to conserve, protect and restore coral reefs worldwide.

Saudi Arabia’s leadership will honour the legacy of previous ICRI chairpersonships while introducing innovative approaches to coral reef restoration, sustainable reef fisheries, and capacity building for member nations. Leveraging the Red Sea—a global biodiversity hotspot—Saudi Arabia aims to inspire collective action and drive meaningful progress to safeguard coral reefs for future generations.