Activities of International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and Japan’s role

Abstract

Regarding coral reef conservation, the unique international frame, known as the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), was established, and efforts have been made to promote research/monitoring, sustainable management, capacity building, and evaluation/review on actions taken. Contents of discussion at general meetings and action plans have been changing according to the interests of the ICRI’s secretariat, which is in charge by a few specific countries every two years. Over the last few years, it is noteworthy that the ICRI has been arranging funding for conservation activities and that the ICRI has been strengthening links with relevant international frames/organizations and also monitoring activities on coral reefs. In this article, we review such recent (since 2016) activities of the ICRI and thereafter we introduce relevant international trends as well as Japan’s various roles in this context.