38th ICRI
General Meeting

Accommodation

The GM will be  held at the Crowne Plaza Jeddah Al Salam, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

We are pleased to confirm that a discounted room rate including breakfast has been negotiated at 850 SAR (excluding 17.5% municipality tax and VAT) per night.

How to book
To secure your room and to ensure availability, please email [email protected] with your requested dates. Please include “ICRI – Room Booking” in the subject line. Please note payment can be done upon arrival.

Airport & Travel

The King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) is the main airport in Jeddah, the Kingdom’s second-biggest city.

Uber and taxi services as well as other forms of transport are available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Visa Requirements

Please note ICRI is not responsible for obtaining participant VISAs and this is at the discretion of ICRI members to check all relevant information

Passport validity

If you are entering Saudi Arabia, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive.

Visas

All visitors need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. For more information visit: https://visa.visitsaudi.com/

ICRI recommend all participants apply for their VISAs well in advance. Should you require a letter of invitation, please contact the ICRI Secretariat as soon as possible.

Dress Code

Traditional Saudi outfit (Thobe or Abaya)  isn’t mandatory for guests, but please avoid tight or revealing clothing. In general, females and males should wear modest clothing that covers both knees and shoulders. Appearing in a public place in an immodest outfit or in clothing that displays pictures, shapes, signs, or phrases offensive to public taste is not permissible.

For the snorkelling field trip, females and males should wear a shorty or long wetsuit. Further guidance is provided in the graphic below.

Download the dress code information here.

Currency

The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR), which is abbreviated as ر.س or SAR. The Riyal is divided into 100 halalas.

Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas in Saudi Arabia. However, it is recommended to carry some cash with you, especially when traveling to more rural areas or smaller towns where credit card acceptance may be limited.

Overall, the Saudi Arabian Riyal is a stable currency that is widely accepted in Saudi Arabia. Travelers should consider carrying some cash and exchanging foreign currency at reputable banks or exchange offices to ensure they receive fair exchange rates.

Language

Arabic

Agenda

The outline agenda is available to download (.pdf) (04/07/2024).

Sunday 8th September 2024

[All Day] – GCRMN Steering Committee Meeting (by invitation only)

Monday 9th September 2024

[All Day] – Workshop: the Red Sea Region – A climate refuge for coral reefs (open to all)

[Evening] – Welcoming reception

Tuesday 10th September 2024

[All Day] – Day 1: ICRI General Meeting (ICRI Members and invited observers)

• [Morning]
  Session 1 – Welcoming and Opening
• [Afternoon]
  Session 2 – Preparing for the Future: Promoting Resilient Coral Reefs
  Session 3 – Engaging, Empowering & Supporting Youth in Coral Reef Conservation: Towards a Healthy, Productive and Resilient Future #ForCoral

Wednesday 11th September 2024

[All Day] – Day 2: ICRI General Meeting (ICRI Members and invited observers)

• [Morning]
  Session 4 – The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
• [Afternoon]
  Session 5 – The Fourth Global Bleaching Event

Thursday 12th September 2024

[All Day] – Day 3: ICRI General Meeting (ICRI Members and invited observers)

• [Morning]
  Session 6 – Driving Further Impact and Longevity #ForCoral: Strengthening the Initiative
• [Afternoon]
  Session 7 – ICRI Member Reports and Upcoming Events
  Session 8 – Meeting Summary and Closing

[Evening] – Al Balad Visit

Friday 13th September 2024

[All Day] – Snorkelling Field Trip to the Red Sea (ICRI Members and invited observers)

Concept Note

The impending loss of the world’s coral reefs threatens the health and socio-economic well-being of hundreds of millions of people and could substantially disrupt multiple marine ecosystems. Yet, biodiversity hotspots continue to be prevalent throughout the world’s reef systems. A critical example of one of these hotspots is the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Red Sea contains the most biologically diverse coral reef communities outside of Southeast Asia’s coral triangle and is one of the longest continuous living reefs in the world. Approximately 6% of coral species within the Red Sea are endemic ^[1], with other coral reef species, such as fishes, being much higher, making this region one of the most valuable repositories for marine biodiversity in the world.

Coral reefs within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region cover 13,605 km², approximately 5.3% of the total global area of coral reefs. The coral reefs of the Red Sea provide food and a source of livelihood to a rapidly growing population of over 28 million people living along its coastline. Fisheries landed value is approximately US $230 million per year for the region, while annual revenues from tourism are over US $12 billion ^[2]. The Red Sea extends to its most northern portion, into the Gulf of Aqaba, which has the potential to be one the planet’s largest marine refuges from climate change due to the seemingly unique high thermal resilience of coral species.

Yet, despite this immense value, for people, science, and the future of coral reefs, the coral reefs in the region continue to experience mounting threats, from local drivers of loss, such as pollution and overfishing, and global drivers including climate change resulting in bleaching-induced mortality. For example, 2023 was considered the most severe bleaching event on record for the Red Sea, with over 40% of days over 30°C, and bleaching recorded from the North, Central and Southern Red Sea.

In response to the recognition of the value of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for the world’s coral reefs, significant attention in recent years has been focused on the region, with multiple organisations, initiatives and projects being established. These conservation actions seek to conserve, protect, and restore the region’s coral reefs.

The workshop, The Red Sea Region – A Climate Refuge for Coral Reefs, preceding the 38^th ICRI General Meeting, will highlight the importance of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden’s coral reefs for global coral reef conservation efforts, showcasing the conservation efforts being undertaken to understand, and build future coral reef resilience to a rapidly changing ocean. The workshop will present an open forum for exchange of views and experiences to sustainably manage coral reefs with a central focus on the coral reefs of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea.

Monday 9th September 2024

The outline agenda is coming soon.

Please kindly note the ICRI 38 General Meeting is a closed meeting for ICRI members and invited observers only. If you are unsure on the registration please contact us.

Register for the ICRI 38 General Meeting here: https://icriforum.org/38-gm-registration-form/

Throughout the General Meeting, two field trips have been organised; a visit to Al Balad (Jeddah Historic District) and Snorkelling Trip. The details of both of these field trips are provided below.

Al Balad (Jeddah Historic District)

Date

This excursion will take place in the evening of Thursday 12th September 2024

Location

Al Balad

Al Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known as Jeddah Historic District. Al Balad was founded in the 7th century. It is a living history of more than 600 heritage buildings, 30 mosques and 5 historic markets.

For more information visit: https://www.visitalbalad.com/

Dress

Traditional Saudi outfit (Thobe or Abaya)  isn’t mandatory for guests, but please avoid tight or revealing clothing. In general, females and males should wear modest clothing that covers both knees and shoulders. Appearing in a public place in an immodest outfit or in clothing that displays pictures, shapes, signs, or phrases offensive to public taste is not permissible.

Download the dress code information here.

Schedule and Itinerary

[Evening]

• 17:30 – Pick up from Crowne Plaza Jeddah Al Salam Lobby
• 17:45 – Departure
• 18:15 – Arrival to Al Balad
• 18:15 – 20:30 – Free exploration time (2 tour guides will be available)
• 20:30 – Assemble at drop off point
• 20:45 – Depart Al Balad
• 21:15 – Arrival to Crowne Plaza Jeddah Al Salam

Abu Tair Snorkelling Trip

Date

The field trip will take place on Friday 13th September 2024.

Location

The Red Sea – A Hope Spot for coral
The Red Sea is recognised as a “hope spot” for its resilient coral reefs, which exhibit remarkable resistance to climate change and bleaching events. This resilience makes the Red Sea crucial for global coral conservation efforts, offering a potential blueprint for protecting and restoring coral ecosystems worldwide

Abu Tair, Jeddah Waters

Abu Tair, a top diving destination 24 km (13 nautical miles) southwest of Jeddah (21.69929N, 38.85345E), is famously known as Shipwreck Island. This site is home to the Greek shipwreck Staphonos, which sank in 1978. The area features a shallow reef flat that steeply drops between 70-80° to depths of around 14 meters.

The reef is rich with Pocillopora and Acropora corals, accompanied by schools of giant devil rays, goatfish and snappers. Visitors can also spot blue-spotted rays and green sea turtles. The wreck is home to a resident guitarfish, adding to the site’s unique marine life.

Dress

Traditional Saudi outfit (Thobe or Abaya)  isn’t mandatory for guests, but please avoid tight or revealing clothing. In general, females and males should wear modest clothing that covers both knees and shoulders. Appearing in a public place in an immodest outfit or in clothing that displays pictures, shapes, signs, or phrases offensive to public taste is not permissible.

For the snorkelling field trip, females and males should wear a shorty or long wetsuit. Wetsuits will be available as part of the field trip, if required. Further guidance is provided in the graphic below.

Download the dress code information here.

Schedule and Itinerary

[All Day] – Snorkelling Field trip

• 07:00 – Departure from the hotel to the marina.
• 07:30 – Arrival at the marina
• 08:00 – Boarding the boat in the marina.
• 08:15 – Departure of the boat to the Coast Guard station.
  Activity: The Coast Guard checks permits and identities against a passport list.
  Activity: During this time, participants choose the appropriate diving equipment set provided by the contractor.
• 09:00 – Departure from the Coast Guard station to Al Marjan Park.
• 09:45 – Arrive at Abu Tair for snorkelling.
  Activity: Briefing on safety, emergency procedures, diving procedures and marine life protection.
• 10:00 – First snorkelling session.
• 11:30 – Return to the ship.
• 12:00 – Lunch time.
• 13:00 – Preparing for the second snorkelling session.
• 13:30 – The second snorkelling session.
• 15:00 – Return to the ship.
• 15:30 – Departure from the diving site to the marina.
• 17:00 – Arrival to the marina and group disembarkation.
• 17:30 – Arrive at the hotel.

Images credited to Morgan Bennet at Red Sea Imaging

Outcomes will be developed following the 38th General Meeting .

Summary

Coming Soon