Coral Post-2020: OEWG4 updates

Uncertainty continues to linger as to when the new Global Biodiversity Framework will be adopted, with dates for the CBD COP15 still pending. However, with a huge number of square brackets and drafting options in the text there is a lot of work to be done by negotiators to bring a final draft for the consideration of Parties.

June will be an important month for making progress with the 4th meeting of the Open Ended Working Group in Nairobi, 21-16 June 2022 and the expert workshop on the monitoring framework  from 29 June to 1 July 2022. ICRI’s focus at these meetings will be to ensure the elements of the ICRI Recommendation are taken up by Parties in this next stage of negotiation, in particular to: 

Prioritise the vulnerable ecosystems we depend on, particularly coral reefs: Not all ecosystems are the same. The GCRMN 2020 report demonstrated that coral reefs are in exceptional decline — projected to worsen under current climate scenarios — despite their immense value to people. 

Retain the integrity of existing coral reef ecosystems and restore around them: Applying the conservation hierarchy at different scales, with a focus on ecosystem retention and avoidance of impacts, is essential to national and global outcomes. The current rate of loss of coral reefs will never be offset by restoration efforts.

Adopt global coral reef indicators: Monitoring coral reefs through a comprehensive, consistent set of indicators incentivizes action, allows for adaptive management of coral reefs at different scales, and increases accountability.

ICRI will be represented at the OEWG 4 by Emily Corcoran, consultant supporting the Post-2020 ad hoc Committee. David Obura from CORDIO East Africa and active member of the ad hoc Committee has been nominated to represent ICRI at the Expert workshop on the monitoring framework for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

For more information on ICRI’s contribution to the new Global Biodiversity Framework visit www.coralpost2020.org and follow us on Twitter.