Boosting Coral Health: Caribbean Strategies for Climate Resilience

Coral reefs play a vital role in Caribbean climate adaptation by mitigating storm surge impacts, reducing wave energy by an average of 97%, and enhancing community resilience against severe climate events. However, unprecedented sea temperatures in 2023-2024 have led to devastating coral bleaching, particularly affecting Acropora spp., with mortality rates nearing 100% in some areas. This situation underscores the urgent need for identifying and propagating thermally resilient coral genotypes for restoration efforts.

Preserving the Future: The World Coral Conservatory Initiative

This side event at COP16 will delve into how the WCC is tackling the urgent need for coral conservation by creating a living 'reservoir' of coral species, advancing scientific research on coral resilience, and promoting education and public awareness. A key highlight will be insights from a partner aquarium, showcasing the collaborative efforts and practical experiences in coral conservation.

[Invite Only] Roundtable: Integrating Coral Reefs into NBSAPs

In light of the ongoing challenges posed by the Fourth Global Bleaching Event (4GBE) and the increasing pressures on coral reefs, it is crucial to support coral nations to effectively conserve coral reefs. COP16 presents an invaluable opportunity to assess the current status of coral reef integration into NBSAPs and evaluate the effectiveness of ICRI's guidance for coral reef countries. Join us for a pivotal roundtable discussion.