Thuwal: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), in collaboration with Nature Portfolio, has concluded the Corals, Coasts and One Health conference. KAUST hosted the conference on its campus in Thuwal, underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to advancing environment-focused collaboration grounded in scientific research and its practical applications.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the three-day conference gathered leading international coral reef researchers, policymakers, and environmental restoration experts, alongside representatives from national entities and relevant government initiatives. The discussions centered on expanding research collaboration, accelerating coral reef protection and restoration efforts, and developing governance frameworks to support the long-term resilience of coastal marine ecosystems and coral reefs.
Participants also explored redefining environmental resilience in practical and operational terms and accelerating the translation of scientific knowledge into implementable strategies for conservation and restoration initiatives. A significant outcome of the conference was the consensus on the necessity for coral reef research to progress beyond monitoring environmental degradation and towards adopting scalable, science-based models for active protection and restoration.
Direct dialogues among international scientists and Saudi institutions involved in coastal conservation, restoration, and development were instrumental in launching new research collaboration tracks and creating professional networking opportunities for early-career researchers. Hosting the conference is aligned with KAUST's role as a leading national research university aiming to advance multidisciplinary marine research, bring together global expertise, and activate it within the Kingdom.
The event was organized in partnership with Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, Nature Ecology and Evolution, Nature Climate Change, and Communications Biology, providing an international platform for scientific exchange and research partnership building.