Bankable Coral Reef-Based Resilience Solutions for Kenya & Tanzania

Date: Monday 4 September 2023

Time: 3:30 - 4:30 pm EAT 

Location: River Nile Room, Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)

This is a side-event of the Africa Climate Summit 2023.

Kenya and Tanzania are home to a vast array of ocean life, with their complex coral reef ecosystems labeled as a jewel of biodiversity, situated in a rare ocean cool spot that provides a climate refuge for significant marine life. Despite being a biodiversity stronghold, the region faces threats from destructive fishing practices and unsustainable coastal development; yet, if safeguarded, it can maintain its value as a climate-resilient asset for life below water as well as coastal communities in terms of a vital source of food, livelihoods, and natural coastal protection.

This event is organized jointly by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR, along side the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), focusing on GFCR's Kenya & Tanzania Programmes. 

The side-event focuses on demonstrating science-based resilience solutions and pathways to unlocking innovative finance to ensure the longevity of vital coral reef ecosystems and their valuable ecosystem services in Kenya and Tanzania. The event aims to:

1.  Showcase bankable solutions from Kenya and Tanzania to address local drivers of reef degradation, promote conservation funding, and enhance adaptive capacities in areas like food security, coastal protection, and livelihoods.
2.  Present resilience-based investment opportunities that aim to increase resilience for coral reefs, associated ecosystems, and climate-vulnerable coastal communities, showcasing initiatives that can make a positive impact on reef protection, expansion, and restoration efforts.
3.  Announce the 2030 Coral Reef Breakthrough spearheaded by the International Coral Reef Initiative and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs.

The Breakthrough will establish an accountability framework for governments and non-state actors to scale actions and finance for coral reef protection, elevate coral reefs on the global action agenda, and build awareness of their critical role in biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods. 

Explore UNEP's full list of activities during Africa Climate Week/Africa Climate Summit 2023.