At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in France, 11 countries announced the first political commitment focused on protecting coral reefs most likely to endure the impacts of climate change. This initiative aims to prioritise reefs with the highest chance of long-term survival as critical ecosystems for biodiversity and human communities.
A climate-resilient coral reef in Fiji (Matt Curnock / The Ocean Agency / press release)
The commitment was launched during a high-level event co-hosted by Papua New Guinea, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). It represents a milestone in international marine conservation, aligning with global biodiversity goals set for 2030.
The voluntary pledge targets climate-resilient coral reefs—those naturally better equipped to withstand rising temperatures and ocean changes. These reefs are seen as vital to future restoration efforts and sustainable livelihoods, particularly for coastal populations.
The initial signatories include the Bahamas, Belize, France, Indonesia, Madagascar, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tanzania and Vanuatu. By focusing on scientifically identified resilient reef systems, the coalition sets a precedent for future ocean conservation strategies under a changing climate.
Commitments
Under the new pledge, participating governments have committed to identifying and prioritising coral reefs most likely to withstand climate change as part of national conservation and climate policies, including the global “30x30” target. These reefs will be integrated into biodiversity strategies, climate pledges (NDCs), and development planning. The agreement also calls for stronger national policies to curb local threats such as overfishing, pollution and poorly planned coastal development. Countries will establish monitoring systems and implement targeted reef action plans. Crucially, the commitment places community leadership, equity and local knowledge at the heart of all reef protection efforts.
High-resolution map
Central to the initiative is new research from the WCS, including the forthcoming “50 Reefs+” analysis—a detailed global map highlighting climate-resilient coral reefs. Based on data from over 8.7 million reef pixels and using WCS’s MERMAID platform, the analysis combines field surveys of coral cover and species with climate, environmental and human impact data. This high-resolution mapping will enable governments, funders and the private sector to identify which reefs to prioritize for urgent protection.
This work and the launch event were made possible with financial and technical support from several key partners, including the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative, Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Global Environment Facility, International Coral Reef Initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Tiffany & Co. Foundation and Paul M. Angell Family Foundation.
