Challenges

This section should provide an overview of the challenge(s) the project is seeking to overcome in the country or region in which the initiative is being implemented in (or has been implemented), as well as what is required to address them for the achievement of one or more of the SDGs.

Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, yet they are also among the most threatened. They are under severe stress from climate change (including ocean warming and acidification), overexploitation, pollution, and habitat destruction. These pressures compromise the ecosystem services reefs provide, such as coastal protection, food security, tourism revenue, and cultural value – especially for Small Island Developing States and coastal communities. The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) addresses this urgent ecological and socio-economic challenge by fostering global collaboration to conserve, protect, and restore coral reefs. Through its Framework for Action and Call to Action, ICRI advances knowledge-sharing, inclusive policy development, knowledge development, and locally led management to strengthen reef resilience. The initiative supports achieving multiple SDGs, primarily SDG 14 and SDG 13, by advocating for the reduction of local pressures and enhancing global commitments to safeguard reef ecosystems for future generations.

Toward a Solution

ICRI is a global partnership between Nations and organisations which aims to drive urgent and collaborative global action for the conservation, protection and restoration of coral reefs, ensuring their resilience, and sustainable management through inclusive policies and action-oriented solutions for people and economies. Founded in 1994 by eight nations, Australia, France, Japan, Jamaica, the Philippines, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States of America, ICRI now counts 102 members, including 45 countries accounting for over 75% of the world’s coral reefs.

The initiative’s Framework for Action, shaped by its Call to Action, serves as a comprehensive roadmap to address the many challenges facing coral reefs – ranging from climate change adaptation to other human-induced pressures, whilst highlighting the need to ensure sustainable financing and promote inclusive governance. ICRI operates through collaborative mechanisms at global, regional, and local levels, focusing on four key pillars: integrated management, capacity development, science and monitoring and review to drive action across sectors and scales.

A participatory approach is at the heart of ICRI. Members collaborate through ad hoc committees, technical workshops, online and general meetings, operational networks including the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), webinars, and knowledge exchange platforms, among others. For instance, ad hoc committees have focused on coral restoration, resilience-based management, youth, and the post 2020 coral reef target. These multi-stakeholder mechanisms ensure that the voices of multiple stakehodlers including governments, Indigenous communities, youth, NGOs, scientists, and the private sector are included in decision-making processes.

ICRI facilitates South-South cooperation by promoting knowledge exchange, peer learning, and joint action among countries in the Global South that share similar coral reef ecosystems and challenges. Through regional GCRMN workshops, capacity-building efforts, and inclusive leadership structures, ICRI enables developing nations to co-create solutions, strengthen technical expertise, and influence global reef conservation agendas. By partnering with regional organisations, it further supports coordinated action across shared marine environments.

Quantifying ICRI’s direct impacts is challenging, as it functions primarily as a coordination and advocacy platform rather than an implementing or funding body. Its influence is largely indirect, focusing on policy development, capacity development, and knowledge sharing – areas where outcomes are often long-term and difficult to measure. Additionally, impacts are typically the result of collective efforts with various partners. Nevertheless, ICRI has contributed to significant qualitative outcomes, including strengthened regional cooperation, integration of coral reef priorities into national policies, and increased global visibility of reef issues. These efforts support SDG 14 by promoting sustainable marine management and effective conservation of marine an coastal ecosystems.

The initiative’s innovation lies in its non-binding but action-oriented model. Unlike many international agreements, ICRI functions through voluntary collaboration, which has allowed for flexible, rapid, and context-specific responses. Its structure enables countries to tailor commitments while benefiting from global science and best practices. This has improved and strengthened national capacity, enhancing their ability to respond to environmental and policy challenges.

Sustainability is embedded in ICRI’s rotating Secretariat, which ensures shared ownership and fresh leadership. The initiative has supported policy development and regional integration, including input into the Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and supporting the inclusion of coral reefs in NBSAPs.

Replicability is a key strength. ICRI’s framework is adaptable to local contexts. Essential conditions for replication include strong political will, stakeholder buy-in, and alignment with national development priorities.

Key lessons learned include the importance of long-term monitoring to track progress, the power of multilateral cooperation to amplify impact, and the need for inclusive approaches that recognise the rights and roles of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Addressing both local and global threats is critical; thus, integrating climate resilience and sustainable development into marine management remains a central focus of ICRI.