The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) held its first online consultation on Monday, 14 April, gathering close to 80 participants from across its global membership to present and discuss the draft ICRI Plan of Action for 2025–2027.
The virtual session marked a significant step forward in shaping ICRI’s strategic priorities under the current chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS).
Opening the meeting, ICRI Co-Chair and CEO of SHAMS, Dr. Khaled Asfahani, underscored the importance of collective action:
“We recognize that the challenges we face in safeguarding our coral reefs are complex, but they are not insurmountable. Through collective action, we can drive positive change and restore the resilience of our coral reefs.”
Participants included representatives from governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other key stakeholders committed to the protection and sustainable management of coral reefs and associated ecosystems.
The meeting not only provided space to review and refine the proposed focus areas for the upcoming Plan of Action, but also served as a platform for key announcements. These included the official launch of the 6th International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium (ITMEMS6), scheduled to take place in February 2026, and the organisation of a Coral Reef Pavilion at the next United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC).
Closing the session, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, ICRI Co-Chair and Chief Conservation and Strategy Officer at SHAMS, highlighted the urgency of international collaboration:
“Together, we can tackle the challenges facing coral reefs, from ocean warming to local threats, and build a future where coral ecosystems thrive.”
ICRI extends its sincere thanks to all participants for their engagement, insights, and continued dedication to the global coral reef agenda. The agenda and presentation are available on the dedicated event page.
