33rd ICRI General Meeting

The 33rd ICRI General Meeting was held in Monaco, on 5-7 December 2018 at the Yacht Club de Monaco. A one-day workshop on “innovative funding for coral reefs” was organized on December 4th, 2018.

The 33rd ICRI General Meeting (GM), and the first one under the 2018-2020 Australia, Indonesia and Monaco Secretariat, was held from December 5th to 7th in Monaco. Through the support from Sweden and Monaco, delegates from several countries and organisations were able to attend and participate in the meeting. In total, 87 delegates from 43 ICRI member countries (21) and organisations attended the meeting (list of participants (PDF File), agenda (PDF File)).

The meeting was opened by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and welcoming remarks were given by H.E. Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia and H.E. Angus McKenzie, Australian Ambassador to UNESCO.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Bernard Fautrier, H.E. Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, H.E. Angus McKenzie, Australian Ambassador to UNESCO and Margaret Johnson, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia.

Apologies were received from the following members: The World Bank, Reef Check, Indian Ocean Commission, Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Cartagena Convention Secretariat, Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Philippines, Maldives, and Ambassador Thomson. The commonwealth Secretariat and Mauritius were welcomed as observers.

• The plan of action 2018-2020 (PDF File) was adopted.
• 4 new members were welcomed:
  • New Caledonia (the first overseas territory to join ICRI). It was noted that a letter from the French government was sent to the ICRI secretariat confirming France’s support for the request from New-Caledonia).
  • Coral Triangle Center
  • Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF)
  • Vulcan Inc.

• The resolution on the revision of the ICRI organisation and management procedures (PDF File) – ICRI organisation and management procedures (PDF File)
• The resolution on the 6th International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium (PDF File)

• The terms of reference for the ad hoc committee on developing a recommendation for a post-2020 coral reef target (PDF File)
• The terms of reference for the ad hoc committee on reef restoration

• The GCRMN Implementation and Governance Plan (Word File)
• The Road map for the production of the 2020 Status of Coral Reefs of the World report (PDF File)

Download the summary record:

• without annex (PDF File)

A one-day workshop on “innovative funding for coral reefs” was held on December 4th, 2018. View the report of the workshop (PDF File).

Sponsors: the Prince Albert II Foundation, Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, Government of Sweden.

The workshop on Innovative Finance for Coral Reefs aims to provide an overview of opportunities and approaches for financing marine conservation with a focus on coral reefs and related ecosystems, enabling factors for the development of conservation finance mechanisms, and key steps for their establishment.  The workshop will include presentations and panel discussions on effective and innovative solutions followed by a hands-on exercise to prioritize and develop innovative finance solutions.

The one-day workshop is targeted towards conservation practitioners, professionals, planners and policy makers from governmental and intergovernmental agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and academia eager to understand and discuss finance tools and solutions for effective management of marine and coastal environments.  The workshop will be proceeded with an expert’s meeting on the afternoon of December 3rd (by invitation only – [email protected]).

Download the Agenda (PDF File)

• Coral Funders
• ICRI Innovative Finance for Coral Reefs
• 50 Reefs
• UN Environment, ISU, ICRI and Trucost 2018. The Coral Reef Economy: The business case for investment in the protection, preservation and enhancement of coral reef health. 36pp
• Solutions in focus: Financing Sustainable Management of Marine and Coastal Biodiversity
• UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)
• Ocean Finance: Definition and Actions
• Finance for Pacific Ocean Governance – Part 1: Background

A block booking has been organized at a discounted price for delegates (the preferential code is MEET) at the Novotel Monte-Carlo (6, boulevard Princesse Charlotte MC 98000 MONACO):

• Single room, breakfast included: 150 euros VAT incl.
• Double room (one double bed or two single bed), breakfasts included: 165 euros VAT incl.

Note: a morning shuttle to the meeting venue will be provided for participants but only from this hotel.

Monaco does not deliver visas. To enter the Monegasque territory it is necessary to travel through France and hold a valid passport, visas and/or other forms of authorizations required by the French authorities. Visa application should be made to the French Embassy or Consulate or any other country that is party to the Schengen agreement. The ICRI Secretariat may provide a formal invitation on request.

A valid Schengen visa allows you to stay on the territory of the Principality of Monaco and Shengen countries for a period that does not exceed 90 days.

For any further enquiry on all relevant visa issues (including health certification/insurance) that should be obtained, we strongly advise you to contact the French Embassy or Consulate of your home country.

• Geographical location of Monaco – Monaco enjoys a privileged geographic location at the heart of Mediterranean Europe and stretches along a narrow 3344 meters strip of coast bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The Principality is nestled between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by the French Riviera to the west and the Italian Riviera to the east.
• Time zone – Standard Time Zone: UTC/GMT + 1 hour. Time Zone Abbreviation CET – Central European Time.
• Weather – In December, the average temperature in the Principality of Monaco varies from 9° /13°C.
• Electrical appliances – In the Principality of Monaco, the electrical voltage is 220V/ 50MH – European plug type is used, therefore having converters to this type is recommended.
• Official language – French is the Principality’s first language. English and Italian are also widely spoken.
• Money and Exchange – The official currency of the Principality of Monaco is the Euro (€).Money can be withdrawn using a cash card or a credit card from one of the many cash machines around the city.
• Credit cards – Credit cards which are most commonly accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops are Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Eurocard.
• Telephone calls – All major long-distance phone carriers provide easy access for making calls using their calling card codes from any phone or hotel. Paying calling cards are available within the Principality. The Principality of Monaco international phone code is + 377.

The closest airport is the Nice-Côte d’Azur (NCE) airport and it just half an hour by taxi or bus from Monaco.

From Nice airport to the Principality of Monaco and return

Bus Transfer to Monaco

Transfers carried out by the company “Rapides Côte D’azur – RCA”: line 110. Tickets can be bought on board or at the company desk in Terminals 1 or 2 or by Internet or http://www.niceairportxpress.com.

Daily departures from Nice International Airport Terminal 1 & 2 from 8.30 am (8.45 am week ends) to 9.00 pm (including weekends), each half an hour (more information on the website). The line 110 provides services to the Monaco hotels. Ask the Driver to drop you at the stop closest to your Hotel.

There is also a night bus from terminal 1 to Monaco, but it works only Friday and Saturday nights (except holydays). : Line N100 – From Terminal 1 to Monaco only: 10.00 pm / 11.30 pm / 1.00 am / 2.30 am (schedule).

Returning to the airport by Bus

Departures from Monaco to Nice International Airport Terminal 1 & 2 with Line 110: check at your hotel desk for the closest stop or check on the company Website.

Returning with Night Bus service for Terminal 1

From Thursday to Saturday (except holidays), the route “NocTAM’bus” – Line N100 – provides 4 return trips from 11.32 pm to 4:02 am. One way ticket is cheap with a security guard on the bus.Check website for schedule.

Other means of transportation

• Helicopter Transfer is available, ask at the welcome desk at the airport.
• Taxi transfer: fare is usually 90 – 100 euros (indicative information, rely on taximeter).
• Train: international trains from the main European cities arrive at the Monaco/Monte-Carlo station, which is located in the city center.
• Road: Monaco is connected by motorway to main European cities.