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This side event will spotlight youth-led projects from around the world that are actively contributing to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and promoting marine conservation. We will explore how young ocean leaders are overcoming challenges—such as limited funding and trust from stakeholders—to protect marine ecosystems and drive impactful change.
The event will be a hands-on workshop aimed at addressing the shortcomings of coral reef conservation in Latin America. It will focus on both practical skills and innovative solutions to the challenges faced in preserving these critical ecosystems. The insights gathered will be used in the development of a new strategy for coral reef conservation in the region, which will include advocacy and strategic litigation as main tools.
As part of Goal 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP15 in Kunming-Montreal, which primarily aims to "ensure and enable that by 2030, at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas are conserved," this event will be framed within a discussion panel featuring national and international organizations, including the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, INVEMAR, National Natural Parks of Colombia, and UNESCO. The panel will highlight the role of oceanic science and its relation to the various actions needed to achieve the 2030 goals, as well as the actions proposed under several initiatives. Furthermore, it’s important to recognize that it’s not just about Marine Protected Areas; other protection categories must be considered to ensure proper management through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed systems.
The event will focus on sharing over three decades of research and monitoring experiences related to coral reefs in Colombia. Key topics will include the current state of local coral reefs, the threats they face, monitoring protocols used, and future perspectives for effective ecosystem management. The panel offers a valuable opportunity to highlight Colombia's commitment to coral reef knowledge and conservation, reflected in its participation in global initiatives like the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). Experts from research institutes and academia and representatives from local communities will contribute a comprehensive and collaborative perspective to promote adaptive management of coral reefs at national, regional, and global levels.
This event features a panel discussion on the stressors accelerating Caribbean coral reef decline, including bleaching and diseases, and how these are affecting reef functionality, impacting local livelihoods and economies. Experts will provide insights on actions taken in the USA, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Colombia to monitor and mitigate these threats. Attendees will engage in an interactive dialogue, fostering collaboration between researchers, academia, and marine resource managers. The focus will be on proposing comprehensive strategies for conservation and restoration to safeguard biodiversity and sustain ecosystem services vital to local communities.
The panel discussion will focus on sharing experiences, lessons, and insights from marine-coastal ecosystem restoration projects in Colombia, with a primary emphasis on coral reefs. This event aims to bring together key stakeholders involved in the research, care, and restoration of these ecosystems, including NGOs, research institutes, and representatives from local communities, fostering the exchange of scientific, technical, cultural, and ancestral knowledge.
The event will begin with a panel discussion featuring the documentary's producers, coral reef experts, activists, and community leaders who will discuss the challenges and opportunities for conserving coral reef ecosystems. After the panel discussion, there will be the screening of the documentary "Saving Atlantis," which explores the critical state of coral reefs and global efforts for their conservation.
he event will invite coral conservation institutes and coral researchers in support of the implementation of Kunming Montréal Biodiversity Framework and the Coral Reef Breakthrough Goals and Action Point. The session will showcase the developments and illustrate leading practices around several elements of how jurisdictions are safeguarding coral reef ecosystem.
Listening session, with potential mini panel focusing on partnerships for the health of reefs and people.
Join us for an inspiring, youth-led event dedicated to saving our precious coral reefs! In this engaging session, young changemakers will explore five ways young people can be part of the solution to our coral crisis. From raising funds to support groundbreaking scientific research to influencing global policy, kids and youth around the world are already showing that they have the initiative and know-how to make a difference.
This session will present the "Latinoamérica Azul" declaration, the first youth-led document that outlines key demands and actionable recommendations for ocean conservation in Latin America. Created during the inaugural "Latinoamérica Azul" conference held in Costa Rica this past June, the declaration captures the voices and perspectives of over 100 young ocean leaders from across the region. Key topics within the declaration—such as climate change, marine protected areas, and sustainable fisheries—are crucial for addressing the primary threats to coral ecosystems and halting their decline. By engaging a diverse group of young advocates and stakeholders, this session aims to refine the declaration and develop a unified roadmap for presenting these youth-driven recommendations to regional policymakers. The enhanced declaration will serve as a strategic agenda for the upcoming UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) 2025 in Nice, France, ensuring that youth perspectives shape international
Together, we can turn the tide on the biodiversity crisis by embracing uncertainty as a pathway to innovation and growth. By fostering mindfulness and supporting each other in our efforts, we can cultivate a future where biodiversity thrives. Join us at the workshop to be part of this vital conversation and become an agent of change.
The event will emphasize the importance of protecting coral reefs to safeguard ecosystems and the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Without urgent action, 50-70% of coral reefs could be lost by mid-century, threatening global biodiversity, food security, and coastal protection. This is a critical moment to catalyze action from the 100 coral reef nations.
Cuba’s waters are home to four of the world’s most climate-resilient reefs and provide ideal conditions to explore conservation strategies that can offer hope worldwide. This event will showcase current efforts to study and protect Cuba’s coral reefs and examine the importance of this work to global coral reef conservation.
The Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event was confirmed by NOAA in April 2024 with bleaching still occurring in some regions up to six months after the announcement. This event will provide examples of recent bleaching events while also identifying actions and approaches to monitor and mitigate the effects of bleaching and improve the resilience of coral reef ecosystems as part of GBF implementation.
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.
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.
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.
Partners will showcase parametric insurance as innovative risk financing approaches to enhance ecosystem resilience along the Caribbean’s coastlines. ORRAA will open with an introduction and description of parametric insurance for nature.
This event will be a round table dedicated to the challenges of private funding for coral preservation and restoration. The aim of this round table will be to understand the environmental and economic risks associated with the loss of corals and the implementation of solutions by the private sector. Levers of action will be shared to massively increase positive investment for corals.
In this event, Earth Insight, SkyTruth, CEED Philippines and Say no LNG will launch the Coral Triangle Oil and Gas Threat Assessment and will present a compelling picture and data on the imminent fossil fuel offshore and LNG expansion in the Coral Triangle, as well as discuss solutions to address such threats. Following, we will dive into the Verde Island Passage (VIP), placed at the heart of the Coral Triangle in Southeast Asia a marine corridor known, as the ‘Center of the Center of marine shorefish biodiversity in the world.
The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) will host a panel discussion to highlight its blended finance program, featuring three convening agents from Latin America and the Caribbean: Fondo Acción (Colombia), TNC Bahamas, and MAR Fund (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras). The event will begin with an introduction to GFCR's innovative approach to reef conservation and enhancing the resilience of coastal communities, outlining the program's key objectives and focus areas.
The Great Blue Wall (GBW) is a Western Indian Ocean (WIO)-born, African-driven roadmap to achieve a nature-positive world by 2030, aiming at unlocking unprecedented nature-based recovery efforts through dramatically accelerating and upscaling ocean conservation action while enhancing socio-ecological resilience and the development of a regenerative blue economy. This session will focus on the implementation of best-practice coastal and marine conservation in the WIO, and the integration of Nature-based Solutions and the Regenerative Blue Economy into Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The session is structured around two main panels, each addressing critical aspects of the Great Blue Wall initiative.
Blue Alliance and BNP Paribas, together with GFCR, ORRAA, and other partners, will unveil a groundbreaking investment facility aimed at advancing sustainable finance for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Global South. The facility seeks to transform protected areas and livelihoods through investment in Blue Economy social enterprises. This event will highlight the innovative Impact Loan Facility for MPAs, BNP Paribas’ initial funding commitment, as well as the first cohort of investments in the Blue Economy and MPAs. It will also provide a unique opportunity for networking and offer a first look at the potential for scaling up the facility.
The event will feature two panel discussions that will bring together governments, finance, private sector, philanthropy, and practitioners to explore strategies and innovative opportunities to create synergies and build capacity across the ecosystem-specific Breakthroughs. By uniting the various Breakthrough delivery partners, the event seeks to mobilise sustainable, long-term finance for impactful marine ecosystem conservation.
ORRAA’s Coastal Risk Index (CRI) is a ground-breaking modelling tool that equips policymakers, financial institutions, investors, insurers and infrastructure project managers with unparalleled insights into ocean risks and the critical role of Nature-based Solutions in building cost-effective coastal resilience. During Ocean Day at COP16, ORRAA will showcase the newly launched CRI Data Platform and outline how it can be used to quantify the value of coastal ecosystems and inform risk management and resilience-building strategies. ORRAA will highlight how the CRI has been implemented in a case study for the Dominican Republic (DR) to map the impacts of flooding on vulnerable people and how Nature-based Solutions can be leveraged to build resilience along the DRs coastline. The panel will convene stakeholders to discuss where coastal risk data can be leveraged to increase finance into Nature-based Solutions and inform critical pathways at COP16 and beyond.
This event will showcase the findings of a new report commissioned by the Bloomberg Ocean Fund and developed in partnership with Campaign for Nature, the Marine Conservation Institute, and SkyTruth. Off track or on course? Assessing progress toward achieving the 30x30 target in the ocean, assesses progress toward the global target of protecting and conserving 30% of the ocean by 2030.
This panel will bring together scientific, financial, standard-setter and practitioner perspectives to explore how rigorous coral biodiversity accounting and monitoring science can and should underpin high-integrity market-based approaches to finance coral reef conservation, such as coral biodiversity credits, stewardship incentives, insurance products and other mechanisms.
The high-level convening will emphasise the urgent need for the acceleration of resilience based strategies to protect coral reef ecosystems. Amidst the 4th mass bleaching, the event will encompass a high-level strategy session to overview needed actions including ecosystem-based approaches and targeted resilience solutions, as well as concrete steps being taken by states, philanthropies and private sector to scale efforts. A segment of the convening will also feature a discussion on the coming 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) and the significance of coral reefs in its action agenda. Following the main event segments, a networking convening will aim to facilitate collaboration among key stakeholders for coral action.
The Caribbean Chapter of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) is hosting this session to explore how collaborative reef monitoring and effective reporting can drive conservation actions for greater impact.
This event will feature expert speakers on three critical marine sites that highlight the importance of high seas coral reefs, and the work being done to secure protections through partnerships activated by the Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition. This will be a space to showcase the scientific and political work progressing for the Salas y Gomez and Nazca ridges, and the science background for the Saya de Malha Bank in the Western Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Fracture.
The event will focus on enhancing ocean and climate resilience through building capacity and access to innovative financing solutions for marine conservation. The session will begin with a presentation on key Commonwealth initiatives, spotlighting the Commonwealth’s efforts to promote and finance sustainable ocean governance and conservation, through its Blue Charter initiative and Climate Finance Access Hub.
This event will feature efforts and approaches undertaken by the Pacific region, practitioners, and partners to safeguard coral reefs. It will be an opportunity to highlight the Pacific Coral Reef Action Plan endorsed by Pacific Leaders in 2021 to ensure coordinate efforts that would result in the overall vision of improving the resilience and health of reef ecosystems in the Pacific islands.
This event will be an interactive panel discussion featuring 25’ presentations followed by Q&A sessions for each segment.
Experts and advocates will provide insights and share experiences on coral reef protection, with a focus on civil society engagement. The three-parts format will allow participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the framework for coral reef protection, and counteracting of two major threats, such as plastic proliferation, and trawling, while encouraging active dialogue.
A SIDS COP 16 Declaration of Action featuring a series of strong political messages to the international community from key Caribbean political leaders and champions that will boldly highlight the urgency of actioning political will to unlock new and innovative opportunities and financing to achieve progress toward GBF targets within the Caribbean region considering our vulnerabilities to the triple planetary crisis that includes biodiversity loss.
Preserving the ecological integrity and connectivity of key marine ecosystems is essential to ensuring the long-term benefits the ocean provides to communities and countries. At the same time, conservation efforts need to be equitably governed and integrated into wider seascapes while ensuring the sustainable use of resources is fully consistent with expected conservation outcomes and recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. To this end, it is crucial to effectively conserve areas of particular importance for biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and services through networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
The workshop will begin with an introductory presentation, followed by interactive activities demonstrating coral restoration techniques used in Colombia, and conclude with a discussion. The introduction will highlight the opportunities Corales de Paz has created through citizen science, positioning itself as a leader in promoting best practices in coral restoration and environmental education. We will introduce the Reef Repair and Reef Check EcoDiver programs, showcasing how we’ve built a national network of "EcoRockstars" who are part of the global #GenerationRestoration movement.
The event will present the specific value that a Global Network of MPA Manager Networks may have for MPA managers in coral reef areas.
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