This year’s UN climate conference, COP28, taking place in Dubai from November 30th, will explore the need to create joined-up solutions to the combined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Corals are closely interlinked with both these issues. A quarter of all marine species depend on tropical reefs and yet half the world’s corals have disappeared since the 1950’s. Meanwhile, climate change and rising ocean temperatures remain one of the greatest threats to corals’ continued existence.
Corals are also potentially part of the solution. A healthy planet requires healthy oceans and healthy oceans require corals, so protecting and restoring corals will actively support global biodiversity goals.
As a G20 initiative and the only international organization fully dedicated to funding global R&D for tropical and cold-water coral restoration and conservation worldwide, CORDAP will be at COP28 to raise awareness of corals’ importance to the health of our planet and to help drive action to protect marine biodiversity.
Our events at COP 28
As official partners of the Ocean Pavilion and the Science for Climate Action Pavilion, we will be hosting six events and participating in two more.
All our events will be livestreamed, so you can join us as we explore the need to mobilize people across public and private sectors to provide finance and support action to save the world’s corals.
We’ll be showcasing some of the amazing work already being done to conserve and restore corals in the Global South, and demonstrating examples of international collaboration in action in the Red Sea. We’ll also take a dive into the relatively unknown world of cold-water coral and highlight the key role R&D must play in protecting corals worldwide.
Coral Action in a Sustainable Blue Economy Framework: The Case of the Red Sea
The Red Sea is one of the largest coral reef provinces in the world. Alongside the impacts of climate change, the Red Sea faces additional challenges to marine conservation and restoration work due to political instability and armed conflicts in the region. To achieve a sustainable blue economy in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia has developed a national sustainability strategy and supported the establishment of the Council for African and Arab littoral states of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to protect and sustain the sea basin. These efforts seek to encourage collaboration with neighboring nations, to ensure the Red Sea continues to support a healthy environment and thriving blue economy. This event will present this initiative as a case study of how collaborative efforts can enable coral action at scale.
Live stream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/SerCLug5rC8?feature=share&themeRefresh=1
When: 17:00 – 18: 00 GST, December 5, 2023.
Where: Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone, Building 87 (also known as Thematic Area 4)
Who: HRH Prince Sultan bin Fahad bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia; Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia; Aiman Soleiman, Commissioner for Environmental Affairs at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority; Carlos M. Duarte, Prof. of Marine Science at KAUST and Executive Director at G20 CORDAP; Dr. Maryam Ficociello, Secretary of the Executive Committee for a Sustainable Red Sea Economy
From Pledges to Action for Corals
One million species currently face the threat of extinction. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) outlined action-oriented global targets that must be met by 2030 to achieve four overarching goals by 2050. However, the world has historically failed to deliver on nature-based targets, and we will continue to fail if we fail to conserve and restore corals and reefs worldwide. To break this pattern, it is crucial that the KMGBF prioritizes the conservation and restoration of coral reefs. These ecosystems will play a vital role in achieving the framework’s target. The ambition to protect nature exists among world leaders – now is the time for action. At this event we will discuss how we can change words into action #ForCorals, to protect and restore the rainforests of the sea for future generations.
Live stream link: https://fcs.tv/
When: 13:15 – 14:15 GST, December 6, 2023
Where: Venue: Science for Climate Action Pavilion, Blue Zone, section B7 88, pavilion number 115.
Who: HRH Princess Hala bint Khaled bin Sultan Al-Saud, President of Living Oceans Foundation; H.E. Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean; Nicole Trudeau, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Specialist, UNCDF; Marie-May Jeremie, Chief Executive Officer of SeyCCAT; Raquel Peixoto, Associate Professor of Marine Science at KAUST and CORDAP Scientific & Advisory Member; Ignace Beguin Billecocq, Climate Champions Team – Lead, Ocean and Coastal Zones; Carlos M. Duarte, Prof. of Marine Science at KAUST and Executive Director at G20 CORDAP; Ignace Beguin Billecocq, Climate Champions Team – Lead, Ocean and Coastal Zones
Mobilizing Industry and Society to Conserve and Restore Coral Reefs
An urgent, global collaborative effort, mobilizing industry and society, is vital to conserve and restore corals worldwide. Together we can unlock international collaboration, funding, and donor support, ultimately charting a course toward a future where coral reefs thrive. This event will explore key topics including how industries can invest in coral reef conservation as part of their corporate social responsibility and the role of local communities in coral conservation, from capacity-building and sustainable livelihoods to community-led restoration projects. We will also discuss the potential of blended finance (combining public, private, and philanthropic funding sources) to support large-scale coral restoration projects.
Live stream link: https://fcs.tv/
When: 12:00 – 13:00 GST, December 8, 2023
Where: Venue: Science for Climate Action Pavilion, Blue Zone, section B7 88, pavilion number 115.
Who: Teresa Ribera, Spanish Third Deputy Prime Minister, Spain; H.E. Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean; Cristina Mittermeier, Co-founder and President of SeaLegacy; Rick Fox, NBA Star, Actor and Partanna CEO; Ralph Chami, CEO and Co-founder of Blue Green Future, LLC, and co-founder of Rebalance Earth; Carlos M. Duarte, Prof. of Marine Science at KAUST and Executive Director at G20 CORDAP.
Harnessing the Power of Society and the Private Sector #ForCoral
Coral reefs are being pushed to the brink of collapse by threats ranging from rising temperatures and pollution to overfishing, and habitat destruction. Mobilizing the private sector and society is vital to conserve and restore corals worldwide. This event highlights the need for a creative, multilevel approach involving the private sector, key stakeholders, research institutions and society. By integrating these diverse sectors, we can foster international collaboration, charting a course toward a future where corals thrive.
Live stream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M64G1wp0nLI
When: 12:30 – 13:30 GST, December 9, 2023
Where: Ocean Pavilion, Blue Zone, Building 87 (also known as Thematic Area 4)
Who: Ana Agostinho, Adviser, Mirpuri Foundation; Cristina Mittermeier, Co-founder and President of SeaLegacy; Rodi Basso, CEO, E1; Natalie Gartmann, ESG & Impact Manager of Pegasus Capital Advisors; Dr Maryam Ficociello, Group Chief Governance Officer, Red Sea Global; Carlos M. Duarte, Prof. of Marine Science at KAUST and Executive Director at G20 CORDAP
Unheard Voices: Emerging Leadership in Coral Conservation and Restoration from the Global South
The countries on the frontlines of coral reef degradation are often developing or low-income countries. They are leading coral conservation and restoration efforts while dealing with the impacts of climate change. At this event, leaders, coral experts, and advocates will highlight the innovative and invaluable work being done by the Global South to protect and restore corals. As well as addressing the unique struggles they face in their work, we will identify ways the international community can contribute, offering concrete steps and actionable solutions, with a focus on capacity-building and knowledge-sharing.
Live stream link: https://fcs.tv/
When: 16:00 – 17:00 GST, December 9, 2023
Where: Venue: Science for Climate Action Pavilion, Blue Zone, section B7 88, pavilion number 115.
Who: Dr. David Obura, Founding Director of CORDIO East Africa and G20 CORDAP Scientific & Advisory Member; Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry, Acting Adviser to Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for Economics, Socio, and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia; Grace Catapang, GCFR Frontline Youth Ambassador; Tali Vardi, Executive Director of the Coral Restoration Consortium; Xiao Xi, Prof. of Marine Science, Ocean College, Zhejiang University; Atsushi Watanabe, Senior Research Fellow Ocean Policy Research Institute of The Sasakawa Peace Foundation; Carlos M. Duarte, Prof. of Marine Science at KAUST and Executive Director at G20 CORDAP;
Cold-Water Corals: Hidden Treasures in the Deep Ocean
Cold-water corals occur at all latitudes, even off the coast of Antarctica, and although their growth rate is slower, global coverage of cold-water corals likely exceeds that of tropical corals. Despite this, there are significant gaps in our understanding of these corals. Accessing remote deep-sea ecosystems poses logistical and financial obstacles, hindering research and restoration efforts. This event sets out to identify areas where further research is urgently needed. We will discuss innovative techniques and approaches to restoration of cold-water coral ecosystems and aim to shed light on the role these corals play in the broader context of marine science and conservation.
Live stream link: https://fcs.tv/
When: 14:15 – 15:15 GST, December 10, 2023
Where: Venue: Science for Climate Action Pavilion, Blue Zone, section B7 88, pavilion number 115.
Who: Vincent Pieribone, Prof. of Yale School of Medicine, Vice Chairman of OceanX; Prof. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, IPCC Vice-Chair; Peter Houlihan, EVP, Biodiversity & Conservation, XPRIZE Foundation; Carlos M. Duarte, Prof. of Marine Science at KAUST and Executive Director at G20 CORDAP
We’ll also be speaking at three key events:
Solutions Toolbox to Save Coral Reefs
Event lead: ICRS
The array of tools or solutions available to save coral reefs has grown and comprehensiveness over recent years to help support our response to this global challenge. Join us as we present and discuss the array of science, financial, political, and community-based tools being developed and implemented to save coral reefs.
Live stream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-M2cUTRtwU
When: 14:00 – 15:00 GST, December 1, 2023
Where: Blue Zone, Ocean Pavilion, Zone 4
Who: Amy Apprill, Reef Solutions Initiative, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Anderson Mayfield, Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP); Tali Vardi, Coral Restoration Consortium (CRC) & International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI); Raquel Peixoto, International Coral Reef Society (ICRS), Associate Professor of Marine Science at KAUST and CORDAP Scientific & Advisory Member
Advancing the Coral Reef & Mangrove Breakthroughs
The Coral Reef Breakthrough and Mangrove Breakthrough are global initiatives, which outline targets to restore and protect millions of hectares of these threatened and valuable ecosystems by 2030. This live virtual event will bring together policymakers, experts, practitioners and leaders from the public, private, and academic sectors to discuss key issues related to coral reef and mangrove conservation and restoration.
Livestream link: https://cop28oceanpavilion.vfairs.com/en/agenda-page
When: 15:00-16:30 GST, December 8, 2023
Where: Virtual Ocean Pavillion
Who: Andersen Mayfield, Funding Program Manager at CORDAP will join an array of expert speakers and panellists including national delegates and representatives from organisations including GFCR, GMA, HLCC, ICRI, UNDP and UNEP as part of this virtual event.
Making the most of the coast: Best practice on marine nature-based solutions
The event will explore how key principles for the protection and restoration of crucial coastal habitats – from robust science to community engagement – can ensure marine nature-based solutions deliver on climate and biodiversity goals. The event will have a particular focus on mangroves and corals, supporting the UNFCCC High-Level Champion Breakthroughs for these habitats and highlighting the benefits of an integrated approach that acknowledges the interdependencies of different marine habitats.
When: 14.30- 15.20 GST, December 9, 2023
Where: UK Pavilion, Blue Zone
Who: Keynote speaker – The Rt Hon. Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom; Moderator – Carlos Correa, Senior Fellow at Conservation International and Mangrove Breakthrough Ambassador; Josheena Naggea, André Hoffmann Fellow at Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions and World Economic Forum; Thiago Pampolha, Vice-governor of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil; Leah Glass, Blue Ventures, Technical Advisor on mangroves and blue carbon; Anderson Mayfield, Program Manager, Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform