Khaled ASFAHANI

Dr. Khaled Asfahani is the CEO of SHAMS – the world’s first national entity dedicated to coral reef and sea turtle conservation. He also serves as Co-Chair of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) for the 2025–2027 term under Saudi Arabia’s global chairmanship.

With over 20 years of experience in marine sciences, coastal management, and institutional leadership, Dr. Asfahani holds a PhD in Biophysical Oceanography from KAUST and has previously served in senior roles at Saudi Aramco and national environmental programs.

At SHAMS and ICRI, he leads efforts to advance science-based governance, expand global participation, integrate coral reefs into multilateral frameworks, and apply technologies for marine environment monitoring. He is widely recognized for combining scientific credibility, institutional authority, and international influence in marine conservation.