The International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference

As global attention on mangrove restoration grows, adopting effective, science-based approaches is essential. Held in Abu Dhabi, this unique three-day international event will connect cutting-edge mangrove science with best practices in conservation and restoration. The goal is to align practitioners, NGOs, governments, scientists, industry, communities, and funders around shared, inclusive standards for mangrove restoration.

The conference is being jointly organised by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Global Mangrove Alliance, the University of St. Andrews, the IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, the Zoological Society of London, Wetlands International and Emirates-Nature-WWF.

The conference is centred around four themes:

1. Restoration Best Practices and Innovation in Restoration and Monitoring

2. Integrated Seascape Approach and Habitat Connectivity

3. Mangroves in the Arabian Peninsula; a Regional Focus

4. Climate Mitigation and Adaptation through Conservation and Restoration

Many of GMA’s partners and member organisations will contribute with keynote speeches and parallel workshops to the conference, see the three-day programme agenda on the conference website. As strategic partner, the Global Mangrove Alliance will contribute with several workshops:

10 December, 15.30-18.00

This workshop will introduce the Global Mangrove Watch and Mangrove Restoration Tracker Tool, provide participants with real-life examples of its use across the world and give hands-on experience on working with the platforms and the data.

Data plays a key role in efforts to conserve and restore the world’s rapidly declining mangrove forests. Without easily accessible, up-to-date information on mangrove conditions and threats, it is a challenge for governments, investors and conservation groups to plan effective mangrove conservation and restoration efforts. Global Mangrove Watch provides universal access to near real-time information on the location, extent and status of mangroves across the world, as well as data highlighting why they are valuable.

The Mangrove Restoration Tracker Tool (MRTT) is an application to record and track outcomes from mangrove restoration projects. The MRTT will allow decision-makers, practitioners, and site managers to access information essential in making informed, evidence-based decisions on restoration interventions to maximize impact and success.

10 & 11 December, 15.30-18.00

With growing interest in large-scale mangrove restoration, understanding what works—and what doesn’t—is more important than ever. The conference will highlight the importance of moving away from mass monoculture mangrove planting towards Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration, built upon the latest scientific insights. This interactive session, hosted by Wetlands International and Mangrove Action Project provides step-by-step project guidance as outlined in the “Best Practice Guidelines for Mangrove Restoration”, developed by the GMA and the BCI. Participants will assess real cases of successful and failed restoration projects, gaining practical knowledge on overcoming challenges like high salinity, aquaculture, and disrupted hydrology.

Video series on Effective Mangrove Restoration:

Watch all 4 videos, available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Bahasa on YouTube here.

11 December: 15.30-18.00

Recognizing the need to establish a steady pipeline of mangrove-positive businesses capable of leveraging available resources, the Mangrove Breakthrough Financial Taskforce has designed a workshop to support project developers go beyond mangroves when structuring their projects, enabling them to showcase the true value of their initiatives and secure long-term financing. Understanding the critical role financiers play at different stages of this mission, the workshop also equips them to identify and capitalize on opportunities within existing mangrove projects and potential mangrove-positive businesses.

12 December, 15.30-18.00

National and regional stakeholders have been identified as the driving force of the GMA in achieving improved management, conservation and restoration of mangroves at local and national levels. GMA has therefore facilitated the establishment of national / regional chapters across several countries. This workshop will discuss the formation of a Regional Mangrove Learning Hub to address priorities of the Arabian Peninsula: to drive awareness on science-led conservation best practices, enable sharing of knowledge and best practices , and effective policies.

12 December, 18.30-20.00

Closing remarks by the Mangrove Breakthrough: Scaling Best Practices to Deliver Global Action on Mangrove Restoration

Cover picture: hydrological restoration to enable natural mangrove regeneration in Liagu, Kalimantan. @Wetlands International