Across the three-day conference, countries and organisations announced over 320 commitments worth approximately USD 6.4 billion, supporting ocean protection, climate resilience, and sustainable blue economies. Coral reefs featured prominently among the outcomes, with a strong emphasis on science-led, targeted conservation.
A key milestone was the expansion of the High-Level Climate-Resilient Coral Reef Commitment, with five new countries joining the initiative. This brings the total to 20 reef nations committed to identifying and prioritising the protection of climate-resilient reefs—those with the greatest potential to survive climate change and support future recovery.
The conference also saw the launch of “Our Reefs, Our Future”, a global campaign led by WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and The Nature Conservancy. The initiative aims to accelerate action to protect climate-resilient reefs by combining the latest science with policy and investment priorities.
New scientific findings presented at OOC11 reinforced the urgency and opportunity for action. Research indicates that up to one-third of the world’s coral reefs may be climate-resilient, highlighting the importance of focusing conservation efforts where they can have the greatest long-term impact.
In parallel, countries announced new and strengthened marine protections, including marine protected areas, conservation strategies, and ocean planning frameworks. Many of these efforts include reef ecosystems that are critical for biodiversity, food security, and coastal protection, particularly across the Western Indian Ocean region.
Beyond policy and funding, the conference also highlighted the importance of locally led and inclusive conservation, with strong representation from community leaders, women ocean champions, and Indigenous voices shaping solutions on the ground.
Together, these outcomes underscore a growing global consensus: while coral reefs face unprecedented threats, there is still a window of opportunity to secure their future through targeted protection, increased investment, and sustained collaboration.
CRRI continues to work with partners and governments to build on this momentum and translate commitments into tangible action for reefs and the communities that depend on them.
