1. ICRI Secretariat 2003-2005 Taking things forward with the UK Robert Baldi Marine and Waterways Division

2. UK arrangements for the Secretariat UNEP-WCMC provides Secretariat functions from 1 July 2003 for two years UK, the Seychelles (our co-host) and ICRI Members determine policy and the path that ICRI follows UK and Seychelles co-chair meetings of ICRI’s Co-ordination & Policy Committee

3. UK arrangements for the Secretariat Why UNEP-WCMC for the UK Secretariat?  Enables Secretariat to draw on previously acquired experience and knowledge of the working of ICRI  Provides an opportunity for joined-up working on coral reef issues

4. UK arrangements for the Secretariat Secretariat will also use their expertise in a joined-up way to develop ideas, initiatives, and local development projects that can help to implement ICRI and WSSD goals

5. Working with our co-host UK attaches considerable importance to ICRI’s partnership approach  Seychelles co-chairs CPC meetings  Planning to host a CPC meeting in our co-host’s country  Provision of a scholarship opportunity to UNEP-WCMC

6. What we want to achieve Our framework for action is based on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, which contained a number of key coral reef issues:  “develop national, regional and international programmes for halting the loss of marine biodiversity, including coral reefs and wetlands”

7.  “Implement…the programme of action called for by the International Coral Reef Initiative”  “Establish representative networks of marine protected areas by 2012” What we want to achieve

8. We want to establish approaches and strategies to focus on outcomes, so that ICRI can contribute to protecting and better managing coral reefs:  Challenging ICRI to take the lead on marine protected areas.

9. What we want to achieve  Greater co-operation and co-ordination between UN bodies, regional seas programmes and donor agencies etc  Encourage developing country participation and ensure participation is at the right level  Greater private sector engagement to support local development projects

10. ICRI meeting, Nov ’03 Integration of ICRI into and linkages with a number of initiatives:  The Caribbean WW2BW initiative  The World Parks Congress  Preparations for Barbados+10 (SIDS)  Promotion of sustainable tourism and fishing practices

11. ICRI meeting, Nov ’03 The importance of marine science:  Preparations for ICRS in Okinawa  UN work on a Global Marine Assessment  Assessing monetary damage caused to reefs by ship groundings

12. ICRI meeting, Nov ’03 We sought to define a number of emerging issues in the international environment:  Defining fossil corals (for CITES)  Trade in coral products (e.g. aquaria)  Inclusion of cold water corals in ICRI

13. ICRI meeting, Nov ’03 The UK offered 3 grants to small-scale projects. The following were successful:  Monitoring of Portland Bight Protected Area (Jamaica)  Setting up MPAs close to Urban Areas (Philippines)  Site Exchange with St Lucia Marine Management Area (Bonaire)

14. Develop programmes for halting the loss of marine biodiversity, inc. coral reefs and wetlands TARGETACTION TAKEN Strengthen joint management plans and international networking Raise awareness of importance of coral reefs. Press for action to protect and manage them Funding of projects. Co-ordinating with other secretariats, e.g., Ramsar ICRI Newsletter and new-look website. ICRI presence in international meetings ICRI participation on WW2BW and international meetings, including sharing best practice

15. Greater co-operation and co- ordination between UN bodies, regional seas programmes and donor agencies Encourage developing country participation and at right level Greater private sector engagement to support local development projects TARGETACTION TAKEN Hosting of the Secretariat by UNEP-WCMC alongside UNEP’s Coral Reef Unit. Identification of contacts and funding developing countries’ and OTs’ attendance UK-funded conference on sustainable tourism (WW2BW)

16. ICRI Forum For further details of all the small-scale projects, the minutes of the meeting, discussion fora and all ICRI documents (including this presentation), please visit the ICRI Forum at: www.icriforum.org