CBD COP16 Forging Coral Reef Resilience Event | Colombia

Convened by Colombia, Seychelles, Palau, New Zealand, France, alongside the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the COP16 Forging Coral Reef Resilience event convened state leaders, private sector change-makers, and local coral guardians taking action to strengthen coral reef resilience in the face of escalating climate impacts. The session offered an overview of efforts underway, and spotlighted where further support is needed, to scale integrated approaches for protecting coral refugia. Members of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) Coalition showcased innovative solutions to tackle local drivers of coral reef degradation, as well as investment pathways to help shift coastal economies to reef-positive and support the coverage of coral reefs within protected areas. Partners also shared new announcements and discussed the vital role of reefs in the agenda of the upcoming 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC).