This side event will present the first Global Red List of Coral Reef Ecosystems, an IUCN-led initiative assessing the risk of collapse of coral reefs worldwide using the Red List of Ecosystems framework. Building on regional assessments, the initiative provides a standardised, science-based approach to track ecosystem status, identify critical risks, and inform conservation and adaptive management actions. The side event will highlight global insights, showcase regional contributions in the overall assessment process, and discuss how these results can support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), in particular targets related to ecosystem integrity, restoration, and protection.

The session will provide overview of two global analysis, firstly the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network “Status of Coral Reefs of the World- 2026” consolidates the observational record, and secondly the “IUCN Global Red List of Coral Ecosystems” converts it into a comparable measure of collapse risk. Presenting the two together exemplifies the biodiversity monitoring infrastructure called for under the KMGBF monitoring framework (agenda item 9(b)) and strengthens the case for closer alignment.

The side event is expected to enhance awareness and understanding among policymakers and practitioners of the first Global Red List of Coral Reef Ecosystems and its relevance for assessing ecosystem collapse risk at global and regional scales. It will strengthen the science-policy interface by demonstrating how the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems – a KMGBF headline indicator – can support implementation and monitoring of the KMGBF. The event will also foster collaboration and partnerships with regional networks, governments, and organisations, supporting ongoing monitoring, assessments and the uptake of results. In addition, it is expected to mobilise interest and support for the continuation of global ecosystem assessments across other ecosystem types, and to help identify priority actions for conservation and management of coral reefs based on emerging global findings.