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Abu Dhabi hosts inaugural International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference

The inaugural International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference (IMCRC), held in Abu Dhabi from December 10–12, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in the global movement to protect and restore mangrove ecosystems. Organized by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) under the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI), the conference brought together over 500 delegates from 82 countries—including scientists, policymakers, and environmental leaders—to address the escalating threats to mangroves and develop coordinated solutions for their conservation and restoration. Here, we explore the major milestones achieved during the conference and explore some of the key take home messages identified by GO-BC Chair Bill Austin (read the full Conversation Article here).

Key Outcomes

Mangrove Breakthrough

A centrepiece of the summit was the focus on the Mangrove Breakthrough, launched at COP27, to provide a strategic framework to halt the loss of mangroves, double the area under effective protection, and restore half of what has recently been lost. The initiative bridges policy, finance, and implementation—a critical trifecta for meaningful change. Benjamin Christ, Alliance Manager at the Global Mangrove Alliance, added:

“It fosters the creation of a community of action” by connecting governments, philanthropic funders, and financial institutions with local conservation projects.

Science based approaches to mangrove restoration

Another major theme of the IMCRC was the transition from traditional replanting techniques to evidence-based restoration. Tools such as the Global Mangrove Watch platform, introduced by aquatic ecologist Tom Worthington (University of Cambridge), exemplify this shift.

Tom Worthington said:

“This (GMW platform) provides open-access information to help plan mangrove conservation and restoration based on the best available global data sets”.

The conference emphasized that a holistic view of ecosystem connectivity—from rivers to coral reefs—is vital for successful mangrove restoration.

Key Outcomes (cont.)

Community engagement and local leadership

Community-led initiatives were continuously held up as models of success. Judith Okello, Chair of the National Mangrove Management Committee in Kenya, highlighted their importance:

“Communities are the custodians of these natural resources, and this is particularly true in developing countries – there’s no way we can leave them out of these restoration efforts.”

Building on this, GO-BC Chair Bill Austin remarked:

“At this conference, I have seen fantastic examples of successful community-based mangrove restoration at scale in Indonesia, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Mexico and the US. There are lessons to learn from each one.”

These case studies underscore the importance of cultural context, local knowledge, and equitable partnerships in achieving long-term restoration goals.

Key Outcomes (cont.)

Financing long-term conservation

Securing adequate and sustained funding remains one of the biggest challenges for mangrove restoration. Jennifer Howard, Marine Climate Change Director at Conservation International, addressed the gap between investor expectations and the nature of ecological restoration:

“The summit highlighted the need for patient capital and blended finance models that align with ecological timelines.”

As well as Bill, several GO-BC science technical working group members attended the IMCRC, including excellent talks given by Ken Krauss, Daniel Friess, Jimena Samper Villarreal and Frida Sidik.