Coral Reefs Span Borders, So Must Solutions: A Blueprint for International Cooperation for Coral Reef Conservation in Complex Political Environments

Coral reefs face escalating threats from climate change, yet reducing greenhouse gas emissions alone will not ensure their survival. Local and regional conservation efforts are urgently needed to address immediate, human-induced stressors and build resilience. Although conservation often begins locally, the interconnected nature of reef systems that span borders demands transboundary management, international coordination, and robust governance frameworks. In 2024, a multidisciplinary group of coral reef scientists and conservationists convened at Stony Brook University to develop strategies for strengthening reef resilience globally and regionally, with an emphasis on the Red Sea and Caribbean reefs. Using participatory systems mapping, the group produced a framework identifying six priority areas for international and transboundary action: (i) conservation finance; (ii) knowledge management; (iii) regional political coordination; (iv) area-based management; (v) ecosystem restoration; and (vi) strengthening stakeholder capacity and engagement. The findings demonstrate commonalities as well as regional nuances for coral conservation, and the approach can be replicated elsewhere.