Ad hoc committee on developing a recommendation for a post-2020 coral reef target

Background

The ad hoc committee was established by ICRI at the 33rd ICRI General Meeting, December 2018, to follow the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework development process and to contribute on matters relating to the critical status of coral reefs and how these can be sufficiently addressed within the post-2020 framework.

One of the key objectives of this group was to develop a Recommendation from ICRI on the inclusion of coral reefs in the GBF. This was adopted in May 2020 and an addendum to reflect the new proposed target on restoration adopted in December 2021. 

The Terms of Reference were extended by the General Meeting meetings in December 2019. At the 36th General Meeting in February 2021 the ICRI Members extended the mandate to run through to conclusion of the CBD COP 15 meeting, taking into account the delay in negotiations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and thanks to the continued commitment of ICRI members, as well as on going financial and technical support from Vulcan Inc.

The current terms of reference for the ad hoc committee through to CBD COP 15 are to:

  1. Coordinate ICRI’s contribution to the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework; and
  2. Develop and implement a communications strategy to promote the ICRI Recommendation at important international meetings and events in preparation for and including the 15th COP of the CBD.

ICRI resolutions relating to the ad hoc committee

Composition

Co-Chairs: ICRI Secretariat, Monaco, and Vulcan Inc
Membership: Australia, France, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Maldives, New Caledonia, Seychelles, UK, USA, CORDIO, Coral Reef Alliance, ICRS, IUCN, Reef-World Foundation, SPREP, UN Environment, UNEP-WCMC, Vulcan Inc., Wildlife Conservation Society, World Resources Institute, WWF International.

The work of the ad hoc committee is facilitated by the ICRI Secretariat from 1 October 2022. From January 2019 – September 2022, the work was facilitated thanks to financial support provided by Vulcan Inc.

Working procedure

The ad hoc committee works virtually and takes advantage of any opportunities for face-to-face meetings on the sidelines of other meetings.

Ad hoc committee outputs

ICRI Recommendations

May 2020: Adoption of the ICRI Recommendation on the inclusion of coral reefs and related ecosystems within the CBD Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

December 2021: Adoption of an Addendum to the ICRI Recommendation on the inclusion of coral reefs and related ecosystems within the CBD Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Coral Post-2020 hub

coralpost2020.org and the social media hashtag #ForCoral were established in May 2020. The hub provides access to all of the  outputs of the ad hoc Committee, including links to the Recommendation (including translations); an FAQ; communication resources (translated); articles and Negotiation/ policy support tools.

Submissions to the CBD Secretariat

Other Outputs

About the post-2020 process

In 2020 the Convention on Biological Diversity will adopt a post-2020 global biodiversity framework as a stepping stone towards the 2050 Vision of “Living in harmony with nature”. In its decision 14/34 the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a comprehensive and participatory process for the preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

All updates, meetings and documentation relating to the Post-2020 process are shared here.

Other useful links/ material to support the Committee

Visit the Post 2020 page

The work of the ad hoc committee is supported by Vulcan Inc. and the Government of Monaco.