September 18, 2024
From September 9-13, 2024, the 38th General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking the first ICRI gathering in the Middle East. Hosted by the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS), the meeting brought together global members to discuss achievements and finalize the 2021-2024 Plan of Action: Turning the Tide for Coral Reefs.
A delegation from SACEP, led by Director General Ms. Rokeya Khaton, attended the event, where key documents were adopted, including a Resolution for the Red Sea Region and terms of reference for new ICRI youth and IUCN World Conservation Congress ad hoc committees. Additionally, Rare, a global nonprofit focused on environmental change, was welcomed as a new ICRI member.
These discussions reinforced the importance of global collaboration in coral reef conservation, with a particular focus on protecting the Red Sea's ecosystems.
