Meetings Other Relevant Events
Rebuilding Reefs, Refining Regulations: Launch of the Coral Reef Restoration Regulatory Guidance
An effective regulatory framework is essential for scaling up coral reef restoration. This webinar marks the launch of new guidance developed to help countries assess and strengthen their regulatory environments for restoration. The session will introduce the guidance’s three-step approach, outline key principles for effective restoration regulatory frameworks, and share some insights from government and practitioner perspectives. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the benefits of strengthening the regulatory environment, as well as practical insight into how this process can be carried out in their own national contexts.
Should you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to contact the ICRI Secretariat
Thursday 18th December 2025
Agenda
Coming soon
Rowana Walton
UNEP-WCMC
Rowana is leading the Ocean+ initiative at WCMC, bringing global marine data together to allow marine biodiversity data to be used in the science/policy interface. Rowana also works with teams across the centre on coastal and marine ecosystem restoration, utilisation of marine biodiversity data and other marine projects.
Jen Brand
UNEP-WCMC
Jen is a marine scientist with a varied background that includes work across the science-policy interface, ecosystem-based management, monitoring frameworks, tropical ecosystems and coral reef dynamics. At UNEP-WCMC, she leads and supports a range of ecosystem restoration projects from national to global scales, such as forest restoration monitoring in South East Asia and global regulatory guidelines for coral reef restoration. She also provides technical and project management support to the Norwegian Knowledge Portfolio across several countries, building capacity on environmental data management to inform policy and spatial planning. In addition to this, Jen provides technical, analytical, development and administrative support for a range of restoration-focused projects across the Centre.
Tali Vardi
Coral Restoration Consortium
Tali Vardi is the Executive Director of the Coral Restoration Consortium (CRC), the global community of practice for the field of coral restoration – connecting scientists and practitioners, and providing the gold-standard of products to move the field forward. Tali brings 25 years of experience and has authored over 20 publications in the fields of habitat restoration, coral reef ecology and intervention science, as well as international policy, advocacy, and community building. She has been at the center of the coral restoration movement for over a decade, co-founding the CRC during her 11 years as a coral scientist at NOAA. Beforehand she earned her PhD from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Tali started her career in New York City – working with the Parks Departments’ Natural Resources Group in wetland and forest restoration and grant writing. Tali is a mom, swimmer, SCUBA diver, big laugher, and has recently started learning how to harmonize Bluegrass music.
Margaux Hein
MER Research and Consulting
Margaux is a marine biologist, and Founder and Lead Consultant of MER Research and Consulting. Originally from the Principality of Monaco, she obtained a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science at the University of Queensland and her Masters and Doctorate at James Cook University in Australia. Her expertise and passion revolve around coral reefs and finding ways to protect and conserve them in the face of rising environmental and climatic challenges. Her research focuses on improving the effectiveness of coral reef restoration efforts across socio-economic and ecological scales.
Margaux Monfared
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)
Margaux Monfared works on Global Engagement and Ocean Policy for Blue Pangolin Consulting and serves as the International Policy and Advocacy Director for the International Coral Reef Initiative. An experienced marine biologist and policy specialist, her career spans hands-on coral reef restoration to global advocacy for reef protection. She holds an MSc in Applied Aquatic Biology and has led research and education programmes in the Maldives, Cambodia, and Honduras before transitioning to international policy roles. With several years of field experience, Margaux has focused on enhancing coral reef resilience to climate change through collaborative research, community outreach, and cross-disciplinary teamwork – yielding valuable insights into effective, science-based conservation practices. She is also a member of Leading Women for the Ocean, a global network that empowers women’s voices in ocean conservation, and the CBD Women’s Caucus. Through these and other platforms, she actively contributes to advancing more inclusive and effective ocean governance.
Coming soon