Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Supporting marine species, coastal protection, food security, and the livelihoods of millions across the Indo-Pacific. Yet, rising ocean temperatures, coral bleaching, pollution, overfishing, and other human activities are placing these ecosystems under increasing pressure. For Pacific Island communities, coral reefs also hold deep cultural and traditional significance, making their decline both an environmental and social concern. 

The UNEP must address how states can protect and restore coral reefs while supporting the communities - both on land and in the ocean - that depend on them. Delegates will debate strategies including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, reef restoration, pollution reduction, climate adaptation, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into the conservation effort. 

It is the responsibility of the UNEP to develop cooperative solutions that strengthen reef resilience, protect marine biodiversity, and preserve the cultural and economic resources that coral reefs provide across the Indo-Pacific.