Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

On 9^th January, 2025, the chairmanship of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) officially transitioned from the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS). The handover took place online and was attended by over 100 participants. Saudi Arabia is the first nation in the Middle East to host this prestigious initiative.

The initiative will be chaired by Dr. Khaled Asfahani, CEO of SHAMS, with the support of Dr. Abdulaziz Alsuwailem, SHAMS’ Chief Conservation and Strategy Officer. Their leadership highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global champion for coral reef conservation and its commitment to sustainable marine ecosystem management.

Saudi Arabia’s chairmanship of ICRI underscores the nation’s technical expertise, innovative conservation strategies, and dedication to protecting marine biodiversity, as aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 environmental goals.

Building on ICRI’s successful past, the 2025–2027 Plan of Action, currently under development, will emphasise global collaboration and measurable outcomes. The plan will prioritise regions with high ecological value, including the Red Sea, South Asia, and East Africa. SHAMS will work closely with neighbouring regions to enhance capacities and bring local challenges and opportunities to the forefront. This inclusive approach aligns with ICRI’s mission to conserve, protect and restore coral reefs worldwide.

Saudi Arabia’s leadership will honour the legacy of previous ICRI chairmanships while introducing innovative approaches to coral reef restoration, sustainable reef fisheries, and capacity building for member nations. Leveraging the Red Sea—a global biodiversity hotspot—Saudi Arabia aims to inspire collective action and drive meaningful progress to safeguard coral reefs for future generations.