Reefs of Hope: Science Diplomacy for the Protection of the Thermal Resilient Corals of the Gulf of Aqaba

Maoz Fine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel)

Climate change–driven ocean warming is causing unprecedented degradation of coral
reefs worldwide, with the 2024 global bleaching event underscoring the scale and
urgency of this crisis. Projections indicate that most coral reefs may be lost within
decades, even under optimistic mitigation scenarios. Against this global backdrop, the
northern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) stand out as a rare and critically
important exception.
Coral reefs in the GoA exhibit exceptional thermal tolerance, consistently surviving
temperature extremes that have caused widespread bleaching elsewhere. This unique
resilience positions the region as one of the most promising natural refugia for coral
reefs under future climate change, with implications that extend far beyond its
geographic boundaries. However, the GoA is a shared marine system bordered by
Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel, and is increasingly exposed to local stressors
including coastal development, pollution, and maritime activity. These reefs underpin
biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and regional economic stability, making their protection
both an ecological and socio-economic priority. Because marine ecosystems transcend
political borders, effective conservation cannot be achieved by any single nation.
Safeguarding this global asset requires coordinated, transboundary management
grounded in scientific collaboration, shared monitoring, and mutual trust. This talk
highlights the GoA as a model system for science diplomacy, where joint stewardship of
a climate-resilient ecosystem can foster regional cooperation while advancing global
coral reef conservation under climate change.