The course marks pilot phase of international “train-the-trainer” initiative to enhance coral restoration capacity worldwide.
Saudi Arabia has taken a major step onto the global stage of coral reef restoration by hosting a dedicated Coral Restoration Course in Rabigh. By bringing together leading national institutions and international experts this initiative strengthens national capacity to protect and restore Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coral reefs. The course was co-organized by the Saudi-led G20 Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP), Energy and Water Academy (EWA), and powered by Acwa, highlighting a growing national commitment to protecting and restoring coral reef ecosystems.
The training forms part of a pilot phase that started in the Kingdom and will expand to other areas of the globe, as a global capacity-building initiative designed to share knowledge as well as train trainers — equipping practitioners who can then pass on knowledge and skills within their own countries and regions. This scalable model aims to ultimately train thousands of coral restoration professionals worldwide.
With its globally significant Red Sea ecosystems and growing marine research infrastructure, Saudi Arabia provided a natural setting to pilot the Capacity Building Initiative, positioning the Kingdom as a key contributor to the advancement of coral restoration science and practice.
In person component of the Coral Restoration Course.
Building national expertise
The course addressed a critical need to bridge the gap between cutting-edge coral restoration research and on-the-ground implementation. While scientific advances — including those emerging from CORDAP-funded research and development projects — have expanded rapidly in recent years, access to hands-on, evidence-based training has remained limited in many regions.
By hosting the training locally, Saudi scientists, environmental managers, and restoration practitioners gained practical skills tailored to the unique environmental conditions of the Red Sea, one of the world’s most resilient and ecologically significant reef systems.
Representing key Saudi institutions involved in marine conservation and restoration, including:
- Red Sea Global (RSG)
- National Center for Wildlife (NCW)
- Saudi Water Sports & Diving Federation (SWSDF)
Participants described the training as a transformative and energizing experience that strengthened both their scientific understanding and practical skills in coral reef restoration.
“This was an amazing opportunity to strengthen my knowledge on coral restoration technologies and connect with colleagues who work on similar restoration efforts in Saudi Arabia,” said Luis Arturo Alcantara Torres, Red Sea Global.
Abuakr Alaidarous, Senior Manager of Marine Operations and Diving at Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation (SWSDF) added: “From site assessment and species selection to coral planting and maintenance, the course covered every stage of the restoration process. It was an eye-opening experience that strengthened my passion for coral conservation and restoration work.”
Participants had the opportunity to understand the biological processes that take place inside corals.
A blended learning approach
The course included a tour to KAUST’s aquaria and research facilities, where participants were able to witness first-hand how King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is pioneering coral research in the region and worldwide. Training was delivered by experts from Ocean Revive and Coralium Lab from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Laying the foundation for a global movement
Beyond skills development, the course helped build a national community of practice, fostering collaboration between institutions working to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s reefs. It also served as a testing ground for course design, delivery methods, and content that will inform the rollout of CORDAP’s future global training programme.
By piloting this initiative in Saudi Arabia, CORDAP, EWA, Acwa, Red Sea Global, SWSDF and NCW, as well as Ocean Revive and Coralium Lab from UNAM are helping transform the Kingdom into a regional hub for coral restoration knowledge, innovation, and leadership — while laying the groundwork for a coordinated global effort to scale up reef recovery.