ICRI General Meeting opens

With H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince: Ms Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Indonesia); Mr Angus Mackenzie, Australian Ambassador to UNESCO, and H.E. Mr Bernard Fautrier, Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert II Foundation © Government Communication Department/Stéphane Danna

The first General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) to be held under Monaco’s co-chairmanship* of the organisation was opened at the Yacht Club de Monaco today by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, and will continue until 7 December.

In his speech, H.S.H. Prince Albert II pointed out that: “International mobilisation and joint action involving states and businesses, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, scientists and local organisations can lead to valuable results. More than ever before, we must remain committed and determined.”

Over 80 high-level international experts and representatives from coral reef countries came to take part in the General Meeting, where the ICRI Secretariat’s 2018–2020 action plan, which aims to offer a response to the numerous human-induced pressures facing coral reefs, will be presented for approval. The Secretariat hopes to encourage the adoption of the following measures:

• Promoting effective and evolving solutions that will strengthen protection for coral reefs
• Improving understanding of coral reef trends
• Monitoring the live reef fish trade
• Helping to reduce human-induced threats facing coral reefs, particularly those which are evident at the global or regional levels

In advance of the General Meeting, a workshop at which international experts came together to find shared solutions to reduce the risks of climate change for coral reefs, and an expert workshop on innovative finance were held on 3 and 4 December.

*: Monaco is sharing chairmanship of the ICRI with Indonesia and Australia for the period 2018–2020.

Autour de S.A.S. Le Prince Souverain, les membres de l'Assemblée générale de l'ICRI