2024 was a year of extremes.
Declared the warmest year on record — and the first to breach the +1.5 °C threshold above pre-industrial levels — the urgency to protect and restore corals and reefs has never been greater. Yet, amid the challenges, CORDAP made significant progress in scaling up the science needed to save corals.
Our 2024 Annual Report offers a glimpse of what we have accomplished so far — and what is yet to come.
A global effort with real impact
Despite the mounting pressures on coral reefs, CORDAP’s commitment to science, innovation, and collaboration led to real, impactful changes throughout 2024. The scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements we’re witnessing demonstrate the untapped potential to transform how we conserve and restore coral reefs globally.
We are fully committed to this mission — and we are not alone. What we collectively accomplished in coral research, innovation, and capacity development in 2024 couldn’t make us prouder.
Highlights from the year include:
- 300+ researchers and research teams supported worldwide
- Five new or upgraded coral-rearing facilities established in the Caribbean and Pacific
- 300+ individuals trained through project-led capacity-building efforts
- Scientific innovation resulting in a growing number of peer-reviewed publications
- 70 coral nurseries established and 2,200 corals grown
- At least 500 corals outplanted into degraded reef areas
- US$10 million committed to a new round of projects
- Two new partners: KSLOF and ACWA Power
- Over US$3 million in non-governmental donations
These milestones reflect the many stories of resilience, cooperation, and ambition that CORDAP is proud to enable.
A collective mission
Our 2024 Annual Report showcases how, through collaboration with researchers, donors, coral practitioners, and global partners, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible for coral conservation and restoration.
It also features a catalogue of all 22 projects we fund — ranging from deploying underwater speakers in the Caribbean to attract coral larvae, to establish cryopreservation centres in the Coral Triangle.
Looking ahead
There is still time to save coral reefs — but intentions and goodwill alone are not enough. We need real commitments. Action must happen now.
The progress we’ve made demonstrates that innovation, supported by bold partnerships and visionary leadership, can secure a future for corals. That’s why we’ve joined forces with two leading organizations — the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) and ACWA Power — to strengthen our global impact.
In 2025, CORDAP will:
- Launch new technology roadmaps
- Co-organize two global scoping studies
- Commit an additional US$10 million to support research and researchers from the Global South
- And so much more!
Read the full CORDAP 2024 Annual Report here and join our mission to rewrite the future for corals.