Initiative internationale des récifs coralliens/ International Coral Reef Initiative

Initiative internationale des récifs coralliens/ International Coral Reef Initiative

International Coral Reef Initiative A unique informal partnership bringing together governments, international organizations, scientific entities and private organizations (NGOs in particular) 37 countries today and nearly 80 members in total. Goal : sustainable preservation and management of coral reefs and their associated ecosystems (mangroves and sea bed grass) Origin : Creation in 1994 by 8 countries Announcement during the first COP of the Convention on biological diversity in 1994.

Work of ICRI : regularly acknowledged in United Nations documents, highlighting cooperation, collaboration advocacy role within the international arena (Ramsar, UNEP, etc.) Highlighting the importance of coral reefs and related ecosystems in implementation of SDGs (oceans, environmental sustainability, food security, social and cultural wellbeing, ).

Governance of ICRI : an annual general meeting of all members to adopt and implement the action plan decide the creation of working groups adopt internal recommandations and external resolutions a secretariat (usually 2 years) hosted by member countries, on a voluntary basis. Organizes general meetings of members Progresses ICRI s objectives through a plan of action. Organizes side events at major international summits and conferences to raise ICRI s profile and promote its work.

Present secretariat June 1st 2016 - May 2018 : the ICRI secretariat is chaired by France Are involved in the Secretariat: Ministry of Overseas, Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Environment The Initiative is chaired by X. Sticker, French Ambassdor for the Environnment. It is the third time that France is chairing ICRI.

Plan of action 2016-2018 (Adopted on November 4th, 2016, at the 31st ICRI General Meeting in Paris, France). 5 themes: Theme 1 : Help raise awareness of how coral reefs and related ecosystems help to fight climate change Theme 2: Meet international requirements regarding coral reefs Theme 3: Help to reduce human threats to coral reefs and associated mangroves and seagrasses, by making greater use of regulatory tools Theme 4: Monitor the state of reefs in order to better manage them Theme 5: Progress via education

Plan of action 2016-2018 A financial effort from different countries : France (exceptional) USA SWEDEN (exceptional) MONACO

Major outcomes from the last ICRI General Meeting Recommendation to reduce plastic microbeads pollution in marine environment Recommendation designating 2018 as the third International Year of the Reef Recommendation on addressing the decline in coral reef health due to global bleaching events

+ Main activities (past / ongoing) Analysis of international funding for the sustainable management of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses Purpose : map current international donor funding for sustainable management of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds ; identify gaps that may be addressed through future interventions; support efforts to mobilize donors for sustainable management of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds. Review issues related to the impact of sunscreens and other endocrine disruptors on coral reefs, and encourage the production of sunscreens that are proven not to damage coral reefs Work on regulation and enforcement to reduce direct anthropogenic damage due to dredging and physical alteration of reef structures Promote the deployment of mooring devices that avoid the mechanical destruction of coral reefs and seagrass beds

Main activities (past / ongoing) Promote regional reports on the health of coral reefs 2 regional reports will be released at the next ICRI General Meeting: Indian Ocean and Pacific Mobilization of other coral countries to join the Initiative (via diplomatic channels) Preparation of the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2018) Volontary comitment on ICRI at the UN Ocean Conference (June 2017) https://oceanconference.un.org/commitments/?id=16778

Examples of side events organized (To promote ICRI and action for coral reef) 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC (November 2016) French-Australian ministerial declaration on coral reefs Thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (December 2016) Event entitled: Coral reefs in a changing world : from science to action UN Ocean Conference (June 2017) IMPAC 4 (Chili September 2017) Our Ocean Conference (Malta September 2017) Declaration from Prince Albert de Monaco and Prince Charles COP 23 (Fidji/Germany November 2017) CAR SPAW (French Guyana (April 2017) et SPREP (September 2017)

Principales activités ACTUALITE INTERNATIONALE COMITÉ NATIONAL DE L IFRECOR / NOUMEA SEPTEMBRE 2017

ICRI/UN Environment Grant programme A joint initiative of ICRI and UN Environment, to catalyze implementation of the ICRI Plan of Action 2016-2018 and the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 2/12 on sustainable coral reefs management. Grants up to USD 60,000 for projects aimed at contributing to the implementation of the ICRI plan of action and at protecting and preserving coral reefs and/or related ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on building climate resilience and facilitating coral recovery. More than 100 concept notes received.

ICRI/UN Environment Grant programme 4 projects to be supported in priority : - Managing mangroves for climate change regulation and other ecosystem services in Kenya - Including coral reef resilience and vulnerability to climate change in marine spatial planning in Malaysia - Increasing resilience of traditional Marine Protected Areas (Vanuatu) - Innovative financing and legal mechanisms for reef restoration and emergency response in selected sites of the MAR Region (Caribbean) 1 more possible : - A seascape genomics approach to improve coral reefs conservation strategies against bleaching (New Caledonia)

Next General Meeting The next ICRI General Meeting will be held in Nairobi, just after the United Nations Environment Assembly, from 7 to 9 December 2017.

International Year of the Reef At the 31st General Meeting (November 2016 in Paris, France), the International Coral Reef Initiative declared 2018 as the third International Year of the Reef. An opportunity to build the critical mass of public attention that is needed to initiate the fundamental policy and behavioural changes required to save coral reef ecosystems!

International Year of the Reef objectives strengthen awareness globally about the value of, and threats to, coral reefs and associated ecosystems; promote partnerships between governments, the private sector, scientists and civil society on the management of coral reefs; identify and implement effective management strategies for conservation, increased resilience and sustainable use of these ecosystems and promoting best practices; share information on best practices in relation to sustainable coral reef management.

International Year of the Reef All individuals, governments, corporations, schools and organizations are welcome and actively encouraged to participate in IYOR 2018. The logo is available for use by any participating organisation, and a website is being set up. YOU ARE ALL ENCOURAGE TO JOIN THIS INTERNATONAL CAMPAIGN

International Year of the Reef A worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability and to motivate people to act to protect them. ICRI will provide overall direction and leadership for the worldwide coordination, but IYOR activities in each region and country are decided upon and organized at national and local levels

International Year of the Reef An example with IFRECOR: Last national meeting in september: a special session dedicated to the IYOR at national and local levels The results will be used for preparing a French action plan (1st meeting 1st of december) Development of a skill sponsorship (mécénat de compétence) with a french communication agency for national campaign

International Year of the Reef For more information, contact Francis Staub fstaub@icriforum.org Visit www.icriforum.org Twitter: @ICRI_Coral_Reef / @IYOR2018

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