The Governments of France and Samoa, as co-hosts of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Secretariat, in relation with the Principality of Monaco, are pleased to announce that the third and last General Meeting of the current secretariat, will be held in Réunion Island (in the Indian Ocean) on the 12 to 15 December 2011.
In an effort to improve regional cooperation and enhance the regional focus of ICRI’s work, a full day of the next General Meeting will be devoted to issues in the Indian Ocean Region. If you are interested in helping organizing this day, please contact the ICRI Secretariat.
All information relating to the meeting will posted on the following page: /events/26th-icri-general-meeting/, including the draft agenda, documents, information on the meeting venue, advice on the visa application process, climate, transport links etc. and you are encouraged to check the website regularly. The aiport for the meeting is Saint Denis, Roland Garros (RUN) – Réunion (http://www.reunion.aeroport.fr/).
About la Réunion
900 km east of Madagascar, Reunion Island is situated at the heart of the Indian Ocean. Reunion is one of France’s overseas departments, and thus part of the European Union. In fact, the island is the only European region in the southern hemisphere. Reunion consists of volcanic mountains rising from the depth of the ocean to 3070 m above sea level. The volcano Piton de la Fournaise in the island’s south is one of the most active in the world. The island’s slopes, peaks and canyons provide for breathtaking landscapes. Different microclimates have given rise to an extraordinary variety of natural habitats: 193 different types in total. Primary rainforests cover about 40% of the island’s surface. A coral reef extends along the coast.