We are proud to celebrate a major milestone in global coral reef conservation: Blue Pangolin Consulting’s founder and director, Francis, has been awarded the 2024 Coral Reef Conservation Award by the International Coral Reef Society (ICRS).
This prestigious award recognises individuals who have made regionally or globally significant contributions to the protection of coral reefs over more than a decade. In Francis’ case, it marks over 25 years of dedicated work to safeguarding one of the ocean’s most fragile and vital ecosystems.
Throughout his career, Francis has consistently shaped and influenced international conservation policy, finance, and practice. He has served as the Global Coordinator of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) under multiple government chairs — including his current leadership role on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through this position, he has helped steer the Initiative’s work on global advocacy, coral reef policy alignment, and called for rapid, ambitious and unified conservation actions to safeguard the world’s reefs.
Francis was instrumental in the creation of two landmark international mechanisms for coral reef protection: the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), the world’s first blended finance vehicle dedicated to reef-positive investment, and the G20 Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP). These initiatives reflect his unique ability to bridge science, finance, and policy to deliver lasting impact for reefs and reef-dependent communities.
His leadership has also been central to advancing scientific understanding and global monitoring of coral reef ecosystems. Francis served as a co-author and coordinating editor for the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020, a flagship report of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) and the first global synthesis of reef data in over a decade. He is currently leading the coordination of the upcoming Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025, supporting a collaborative process that spans regions, institutions, and reef monitoring experts worldwide.
Beyond technical expertise, Francis has championed inclusive and integrated approaches to effective protection. His work has guided the development of monitoring and assessment frameworks, protected area effectiveness tools, and reef resilience planning across the Pacific, Caribbean, West Africa, the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean.
Now, more than ever, we must act for coral reefs. That means stopping the drivers of reef loss, doubling effective protection, accelerating restoration, and securing sustainable investment. I share this recognition with all of the passionate individuals I have had the privilege to work with.
Francis’ vision and work embodies Blue Pangolin’s mission: to deliver policy, technical and strategic solutions for the ocean, rooted in science, equity, and long-term impact.
