The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), and the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network represented the coral reef community at the 24th Annual Consultative Meeting on Large Marine Ecosystems and Coastal Partners (LME24), held in Athens, Greece from 14–16 May 2025.
Tom Dallison, Strategic Adviser to ICRI and Team Lead of the upcoming Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025 report, participated in a key panel session on Data, Information, and Knowledge Management (DIM) strategies. He highlighted the pivotal role of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) in supporting evidence-based ocean governance and called for stronger mechanisms to ensure coral reef data collected through GEF- and FAO-supported projects is integrated into GCRMN assessments.
This sparked important discussions with representatives from UNEP, FAO, IW:LEARN, and regional partners—including COBSEA and the SPAW Secretariat—about future data sharing, partnership opportunities, and potential project collaboration during the upcoming GEF-9 cycle. Notably, several organisations expressed interest in contributing to future GCRMN reports and regional datasets, underscoring the increasing recognition of coral reefs within global ecosystem-based management frameworks.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event provided an platform to reconnect with ICRI members and explore joint initiatives aimed at enhancing marine protected areas, addressing local threats, and building capacity for coral reef monitoring—key priorities outlined in ICRI’s recent policy asks.
With the ocean community united around SDG14 and the 30×30 targets, LME24 offered a powerful reminder of the collective ambition needed to protect our planet’s blue heart. As we approach 2030, the window to act for coral reefs is rapidly closing—cross-sector collaboration and robust data systems are more essential than ever.
