The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity will bring together governments worldwide to set new goals and develop an action plan for nature over the next decade.
COP15 will focus on protecting nature and halting biodiversity loss around the world. Half of living corals have died since the 1950s and researchers have discovered that coral-reef-associated biodiversity has dropped by 63 percent. Limiting global warming to 2*C is unlikely to save most coral reefs.
Ahead of COP15, as an effort to push science, innovation and funding towards urgent coral reefs restoration and protection solutions, CORDAP, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) published a joint open letter for urgent coral reef action addressed to leaders and policy-makers.
On December 13th CORDAP in partnership with GFCR, ICRI and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will host a panel at 12:00 pm on the topic of Achieving the Global Targets : How to Conserve and Restore Coral Ecosystems at The Nature Conservancy Pavilion.
The panel will aim to outline the path to implementation of biodiversity targets for coral reefs, focus on showcasing efforts and mechanisms to support the protection and restoration of reefs, discuss R&D, sustainable financing and building political will for effective conservation.
On December 14th CORDAP will be supporting a high-level event United for a decade of conservation action #ForCoral. Hosted by the ICRI and with further support from USA, Colombia, Maldives, Monaco, Seychelles, CORDIO, GFCR, WCS, Coral Reef Alliance, WWF/CRRI, and UNDP, the event aims to strengthen connections within the coral reef community, highlighting the importance of coral reefs and demonstrating how Parties can implement the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to achieve nature-positive outcomes for coral reefs by 2030.
Assistant Secretary Monica Media (Assistant Secretary Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, United States of America) will provide welcoming remarks with representatives from the CBD and coral reef countries
During the event, an art piece, produced by Vanessa Barragao, will be unveiled that captures the beauty of coral reefs; a reminder of the need for strong action for their conservation.
