Saudi Arabia has officially assumed the Secretariat of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) for its 14th term. ICRI represents 102 members including 45 countries that are custodians of 75% of the world’s coral reefs. The Secretariat role is a rotating two-year term.
The ICRI noted that coral reefs sustain 25% of the world’s marine biodiversity and contribute an estimated $9.9 trillion annually in goods and services. Covering less than one percent of the ocean floor, reefs provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding areas for a large variety of organisms as well as minimizing wave impacts from storms. They also contribute significantly to tourism.
Saudi Arabia will lead the development of the 2025–2027 Action Plan which includes expanding membership to include 90% of the world’s coral reefs, integrating resilient reef management into global policies and enhancing national biodiversity strategies. Among the key priorities are boosting the blue economy, advancing reef monitoring with innovative technologies, and utilizing insights from the upcoming “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025” report.
Other notable initiatives include the launch of ICRI’s Youth Strategy, strengthening collaboration in the Red Sea, South Asia and East Africa regions, and raising global awareness through major events such as the UN Ocean Conference.
Dr. Khaled Asfahani, CEO of the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) and Chair of ICRI, emphasized the significance of this role: “Saudi Arabia’s role as ICRI Secretariat underscores our unwavering commitment to a sustainable future for coral reefs worldwide. We are deeply grateful to ICRI members for their trust and recognition in selecting Saudi Arabia to lead this critical global initiative. Through this leadership, we aim to set new benchmarks in coral reef conservation, leveraging science, innovation, and collaboration to drive both national and international initiatives. Our goal is to protect these vital ecosystems, ensuring their resilience for future generations while maintaining their invaluable contributions to the global economy.”
