Blue Pangolin Consulting’s Project Officer, Margaux, and International Policy and Advocacy Manager at the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), co-authored the article Leading Women #ForCoral at CBD COP16 to highlight the transformative role women are playing in coral reef conservation, and underscores the critical link between gender equity and sustainable marine biodiversity outcomes.
The piece builds on the historic momentum of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and explores the ground-breaking efforts led by women at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), Cali, Colombia (21st October – 1st November 2024) under the theme “Peace with Nature.” This pivotal conference convened against the backdrop of the Fourth Global Bleaching Event (4GBE), the worst recorded to date, placing coral reefs at the centre of urgent global discussions on resilience, climate action, and equitable funding mechanisms.
Margaux’s advocacy stems from her work advancing coral reef conservation through international policy. The article aimed to emphasise how inclusive, gender-responsive approaches – like those championed by women leaders at COP16 – are vital to meeting GBF targets. By featuring initiatives like the #ForCoral Pavilion and the Emergency Special Session on Coral Reefs, the article showcases how women’s leadership drives innovative solutions, from resilience-based conservation strategies to critical financial commitments.
Amplifying the voices of women in conservation is not just about addressing historical inequities but about ensuring the survival of coral reefs and the communities that depend on them. This article embodies Blue Pangolin’s commitment to bridging the gap between policy and on-the-ground conservation, advancing both gender equity and marine ecosystem resilience as inseparable goals.
Read the Full Article here.
