Unveiling Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Coral Reef Value to Catalyze National and Global Action

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10/10/2025
18:00 - 19:00
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICR , Onsite

Why attend

The session will link coral reef valuation to Saudi Arabia’s policies and ICRI leadership, apply global conservation to reef resilience, highlight Red Sea–WIO regional opportunities, address Motion 037 on urgent reef action, and show how valuations shape private sector engagement.

Session Description

The session will provide an overview of two World Bank valuation reports and: • Show how valuation evidence supports Saudi Arabia’s priorities under SHAMS’ mandate and broader national strategies. • Highlight the regional interconnectivity of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Aqaba, and Western Indian Ocean (WIO), with pathways for extending valuation approaches across the region, directly responding to IUCN Motion 037. IUCN will also connect the findings to the work of three WCPA Specialist Groups: Tourism and Protected Areas, Marine, and Finance & Economics. • Situate the Red Sea work within the global ocean economy, showing how valuation informs finance flows and policy dialogue.
Organised by
ICRI & General Organization for Conservation of CoralReefs & Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS)
Partners
West Asia Region logo
West Asia Region
Eastern and Southern Africa Region logo
Eastern and Southern Africa Region
SHAMS (General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reef and Sea Turtles in Red Sea) logo
SHAMS (General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reef and Sea Turtles in Red Sea)
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) logo
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)
The World Bank logo
The World Bank
United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) logo
United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) logo
Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR)

Speaker

Speaker Ruth TIFFER SOTOMAYOR

Senior Environmental Specialist, The World Bank

Speaker Thomas SBERNA

Regional Head - Coastal and Ocean Resilience, IUCN Secretariat

Speaker Pradeep KURUKULASURIYA

Executive Secretary, United Nations Capital Development Fund

Speaker Hany EL SHAER

Regional Director - West Asia, IUCN ROWA

Moderator

Speaker Carol PHUA

Executive Director Strategy, Science and Partnerships, General Organisation for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea

Host

Speaker VANESSA ROBITZCH

Conservation Program Manager, The General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS)

Speaker Fahd ALGUTHMY

Senior Environmental Finance & Blue Economy Specialist, SHAMS