DEHUKAM CEO Dr. Mustafa Başkara delivered opening remarks at the side event “Reefs Without Borders: Pacific and Global Action to Bring Reefs to COP31,” held on 8 October 2026 at Bula Village, Crowne Plaza, Fiji, as part of the Pacific Pre-COP31.

Co-hosted by the Government of Fiji, Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Global Fund for Coral Reefs, High-Level Climate Champions, Minderoo Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Ocean & Climate Platform, and World Wide Fund for Nature, the event brought together governments, international organizations and stakeholders to discuss regional and global cooperation for coral reef conservation. The event featured the presentation of Fiji’s National Action Plan for Coral Reef Conservation, alongside discussions on strengthening collective commitments for climate-resilient coral reefs and bringing coral reef conservation more prominently into the COP31 agenda.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mustafa Başkara highlighted the critical importance of coral reefs not only for biodiversity conservation, but also for climate resilience, food security, coastal livelihoods and sustainable ocean governance. He also emphasized the importance of integrated approaches that bring together science, policy, law, finance, the knowledge and experience of local communities in advancing coral reef conservation.