The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) is honored to have participated in the SHAMS Coral Restoration Forum, a pivotal event dedicated to the future of coral restoration in the Red Sea. Hosted by SHAMS (General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea) from November 11-13, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this forum brought together leading scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to discuss innovative strategies for restoring and protecting coral reef ecosystems.
What does SHAMS mean? In Arabic Sho’ab= Reefs, Murjania=Coral, Salahf=Turtles.
Why This Forum Matters
Coral reefs in the Red Sea are among the most resilient and ecologically significant in the world, yet they still face mounting challenges from climate change, habitat degradation, and human impact. The SHAMS Coral Restoration Forum provided a crucial platform for stakeholders to share expertise, exchange knowledge, and develop scalable restoration strategies to ensure the long-term survival of these vital ecosystems.
KSLOF’s Leadership in Coral Reef Education and Training
A major theme of the forum was capacity-building and training, an area in which KSLOF has extensive expertise. As a global leader in coral reef education, our Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum, field-based training programs, and online learning modules have helped equip educators and local communities with the tools needed to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems. During the forum, KSLOF emphasized the critical role of knowledge-sharing and education in strengthening the next generation of coral restoration practitioners.
KSLOF Speaks on Scaling Coral Restoration in Parallel with Ocean Literacy
KSLOF CEO Alexandra Dempsey played an integral role in the forum, speaking on the panel titled: “Priorities for Coral Reef Restoration to Enable Scale for the Red Sea.” This session focused on identifying key priorities and strategies to scale up coral reef restoration efforts in the region. Alexandra emphasized the importance of aligning restoration initiatives with ecological, social, and economic goals to achieve large-scale, long-term impact. She highlighted KSLOF’s commitment to integrating science, policy, and community engagement to ensure that restoration efforts are both effective and sustainable.
Building Future Collaborations
The forum served as a landmark moment in strengthening regional and global partnerships. KSLOF had the opportunity to collaborate with marine conservation leaders, governmental agencies, and research institutions to advance the future of coral reef restoration, education, and training.
As we move forward, KSLOF remains committed to leading the way in coral reef conservation and education initiatives. The insights gained from the SHAMS Coral Restoration Forum will directly inform and enhance our ongoing programs, ensuring the long-term resilience of coral reefs in the Red Sea and beyond.
