The 38th General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)

At a time when the world's coral reefs are experiencing the fourth global coral bleaching event, the 38th General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) took place between 9 - 13 September 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, hosted by the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) and co-chaired by the United States Department of State and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Ms. Susana Perera Valderrama, the Marine Biodiversity Programme Officer overseeing the implementation of the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol (SPAW Protocol), represented the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat as an ICRI member. Representatives from Caribbean member countries of ICRI, including Barbados, Belize, and Jamaica, participated.

Key topics discussed included global efforts to protect coral reefs, strategies to combat coral bleaching, enhancing regional cooperation, and the need to engage, empower, and support youth in coral reef conservation. A Red Sea Forum preceded the 38th ICRI General Meeting, emphasizing the significance of the coral reefs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for global conservation efforts.

Ms. Perera Valderrama participated in the steering committee of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), where she provided an update on activities conducted by the Caribbean node of the GCRMN coordinated by the SPAW Regional Activity Center (SPAW-RAC). This included a focus on preparing the Caribbean Coral Reef Status Report and its contribution to the global report. Additionally, Susana joined a panel on coral bleaching moderated by Ms Jennifer Koss from NOAA, featuring representatives from various countries and organizations worldwide, including Australia, The Maldives, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and CORDIO (Coastal Ocean Research and Development in the Indian Ocean). Critical discussions at the panel revolved around the impacts of climate change on coral reefs, regional monitoring efforts, and the development of strategies to address coral bleaching events.

The meeting also highlighted the transition of ICRI leadership, with SHAMS taking on the role of ICRI Chair for the next three years, focusing on strengthening global collaboration in coral reef conservation. Several documents were adopted, including a Resolution for the Red Sea Region, the Terms of Reference for the ICRI Youth Ad Hoc Committee, and the Ad Hoc Committee to Support the Development of a Motion to the IUCN World Conservation Congress. These documents highlight ICRI's commitment to cooperation and the development of effective strategies for coral reef conservation.