David OBURA

Biography

David Obura is a Founding Director of CORDIO East Africa, chairs the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES, 2023-2026) and is on the Earth Commission (2019-2026). CORDIO is a knowledge organization supporting sustainability of coral reef and marine systems in the Western Indian Ocean.

David’s primary research has been on coral reef resilience, biogeography and climate change impacts. His interests are turning now towards sustainability science pivoting around coastal, African and societal needs and priorities, in the broader sustainable development paradigm. David works from the local scale, through fostering innovative action to promote sustainability, through regional scale alignment and integration, to global scales.

David was a Co-Chair of IPBES’s Nexus Assessment and was active in compiling science inputs into the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. David was awarded Kenya’s national honour, Moran of the Burning Spear in December 2021, and the Coral Reef Conservation Award of the International Coral Reef Society in 2022.

Speaking at

Sustainable and Inclusive Blue Tourism: Experience-Sharing from the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Western Indian Ocean

Oct 09 2025 (14:30 - 16:00)

Room: Conference Hall A: Session Room 7
Sustainable and Inclusive Blue Tourism: Experience-Sharing from the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Western Indian Ocean
Double Red Alert: Corals at Risk [Event starts at 4:45pm]

Oct 09 2025 (17:30 - 18:30)

Room: IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R3
Double Red Alert: Corals at Risk [Event starts at 4:45pm]
A biodiversity revolution: Scaling species conservation for biodiversity, climate and people

Oct 10 2025 (15:00 - 16:30)

Room: IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R2
A biodiversity revolution: Scaling species conservation for biodiversity, climate and people
The hidden cost of plastic pollution and biodiversity loss: Economic & policy implications

Oct 11 2025 (14:00 - 15:30)

Room: Conference Hall A: Session Room 5
The hidden cost of plastic pollution and biodiversity loss: Economic & policy implications
Announcement of Regenerating Africa (REGEN Africa) – An initiative for a thriving continent

Oct 11 2025 (19:00 - 20:00)

Room: IUCN Africa
Announcement of Regenerating Africa (REGEN Africa) – An initiative for a thriving continent
IUCN Red Lists – Celebrating Partnerships for Species and Ecosystems [Event starts at 7:30pm]

Oct 11 2025 (20:00 - 21:00)

Room: IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R3
IUCN Red Lists – Celebrating Partnerships for Species and Ecosystems [Event starts at 7:30pm]
High-level Panel on Africa's pathway to ocean sector transformation

Oct 12 2025 (11:00 - 12:00)

Room: IUCN Africa
High-level Panel on Africa's pathway to ocean sector transformation
Leveraging IUCN Red List Frameworks for Coral Reef Conservation

Oct 12 2025 (14:00 - 15:00)

Room: International Coral Reef Initiative (ICR
Leveraging IUCN Red List Frameworks for Coral Reef Conservation
Coordinating and scaling up action for nature and people: The IPBES Nexus Assessment

Oct 13 2025 (16:00 - 17:00)

Room: IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R3
Coordinating and scaling up action for nature and people: The IPBES Nexus Assessment