Hope for Coral Reefs

When: 16 November 2022, 11:00 - 11:45 GMT+2 (Biodiversity and Ocean Day)

Where: Register here | Livestream | In-person at COP27 Action Hub Amphitheatre (Sycamore)

Organisers: The Ocean Agency and UNEP

What: The importance of coral reefs, the urgency and scale of the threat to people and planet,  and the action required.  

Suggested Schedule:

11.00 - Opening remarks by UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen 

11.04 - Video of UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Ellie Goulding’s visit to the reefs of Sharm el-Sheikh

11.07 - Ellie Goulding speaking about her recent experience and the need for climate action

11.12 - Panel discussion with Ellie Goulding, Susan Gardener (Director Ecosystems Division UNEP) and Prof Mahmoud Hanafy (HEPCA Chief Scientist) --moderated by Richard Vevers (Founder /CEO TOA) on:

• the importance of coral reefs, especially coral reefs like the Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea,  
• the declaration of a Mission Blue Hope Spot 
• the global plan to save coral reefs (ICRI recommendations)
• recent progress, 
• action needed (including supporting Global Fund for Coral Reefs and targeted marine protection)

11.39 - UNEP Patron for Ocean Lewis Pugh invited to talk about his world's first swim across the Red Sea to raise awareness of the crisis facing coral reefs due to climate change

11.42 - Closing remarks by Richard Vevers

12.45 - Great Fringing Reef will be discussed