The Red Sea’s Vanishing "Super Corals" and Other News
1st of June 2025
The Race to Save the Red Sea’s Vanishing "Super Corals"
Article by Lina Challita
In 2018, scientists identified the Northern Red Sea—particularly the Gulf of Aqaba—as a potential last refuge for corals globally. These reefs were dubbed "super corals" due to their exceptional heat tolerance, a trait evolved from surviving the Red Sea’s naturally warm waters. At the time, mass bleaching events ravaged iconic reefs from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to the Caribbean, stripping ecosystems of color and biodiversity.
In stark contrast, the Red Sea remained a thriving oasis, celebrated not for coral abundance but for exceptional biodiversity and endemism. ~ This unique sub-tropical ecosystem is know for its “quality over quantity”.
The Tipping Point (2023–Present)
Despite early hope, climate change and local pressures have outpaced protection efforts. Since 2023, summer bleaching has intensified, affecting the Northern Red Sea reefs from Sudan to Egypt’s Nuweiba and Jordan’s Aqaba. While not yet uniformly annual, recurrent events now occur when temperatures exceed regional thresholds:
- Average summer temperatures: 28–32°C (up to 35°C in shallow lagoons)
- Northern bleaching threshold: ~34°C sustained for weeks (vs. 30–32°C globally)
[Source: Fine et al. 2019; GCRMN 2023 Report]
Repeated bleaching reduces recovery chances, triggering a damaging cycle: weakened corals → collapsed ecosystems → cascading impacts on key species from sharks, turtles, invertebrates and fisheries.
Ecological Dominoes are already in play, two major examples are:
- Diadema urchin mass die-offs (2022–2023), critical algae grazers, mirror Caribbean collapses in the 1980s.
- Shark populations have declined by up to 85% regionally due to habitat loss and overfishing.
[Source: Diadema study; IUCN Shark Decline]
Mitigation: The Only Viable Path
With conservation funding scarce these day, science prioritizes mitigation over offsetting.
Reef restoration without direct reduction of threats is not an effective solutions. We need to focus on allowing the Red Sea to breathe!
Urgent Actions Needed:
1. End Overfishing: Redirect fishing communities to sustainable industries.
2. Regulate Tourism:
- Ban large “Superyacht” sized vessels that shade/pollute reefs (Green Fins Initiative).
- Implement a sustainable mooring buoys installation system to prevent anchor damage.
3. Protect Critical Habitats:
- Close off key reefs and nurseries areas to allow safe zones for biodiversity.
- Turtle/shark breeding site patrols.
4. Cross-Border ICZM: Integrated Coastal Zone Management for all Red Sea nations.
5. Neutralize the FSO Safer Threat: Though 1.1M barrels of oil were removed in 2023, residual risks demand monitoring.
Why Offsetting Fails
Coral farming and mangrove planting attract donor interest but often neglect root causes:
- <10% of coral nurseries survive long-term without addressing warming/pollution.
- Artificial reefs and mangrove afforestation rarely replicate natural biodiversity.
[Source: Restoration Ecology Journal]
The Way Forward
The Red Sea’s fate hinges on a unified strategy: mitigate direct threats first, backed by science and transboundary governance. As temperatures rise, protecting resilient northern reefs (Gulf of Aqaba) while restoring southern zones offers the last best hope.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, with a clear drop in tourism and shipping traffic; the Red Sea thrived with rare species re-emerging. It was a clear sign that if we allow the Red Sea to breathe, it has a chance to recover. It’s a race to prevent a coral haven from turning into a graveyard.
Key Scientific References:
1. [Red Sea Coral Thermal Tolerance (Nature)]
2. [Biodiversity & Endemism (Frontiers)]
3. [Mitigation Efficacy Study (Science)]
Weekly News Brief SNE
1st of June 2025
Refunctioning waste from the Nile
23rd of May 2025
VeryNile, founded in 2019, is a pioneering Egyptian initiative focused on cleaning the Nile River while uplifting surrounding communities through environmental and social programs. Originally launched to help NGOs better communicate with donors, the organization soon shifted its mission to environmental protection, recognizing the central role the Nile plays in Egypt’s sustainability. Based on Al-Qursaya Island, VeryNile works with over 200 fishermen to collect plastic waste, which is then recycled or upcycled into furniture and accessories by trained local residents, especially women. It also offers educational programs for adults and children, and even created an eco-friendly food space run by a local resident, Um Nada. VeryNile regularly hosts awareness events, such as boat parades and university visits, emphasizing long-term solutions like waste prevention rather than just collection. With expansion plans in Sohag and Minya by 2025, the initiative continues to scale its impact across Egypt.
Egypt, France discuss cooperation on UN ocean conference, plastic pollution in Mediterranean
24th of May 2025
Egyptian Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad and French Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher met virtually to coordinate ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, with a focus on enhancing cooperation to combat plastic pollution, especially in the Mediterranean. Fouad emphasized Egypt's commitment to ocean conservation and its interest in integrating marine biodiversity, blue economy, and the global plastics treaty into a unified agenda. She highlighted Egypt’s national actions, including EPR policies, plastic bag fees, a waste management law, and community-driven initiatives like the Nile Cleanup. Stressing the need for fair global agreements, she called for financial and technological support for developing countries. The French minister welcomed Egypt’s proactive role and reiterated the importance of systemic change through durable alternatives, better recycling infrastructure, and policy reform to protect marine ecosystems.
Egypt’s Minister of Environment: Food Security a Golden Opportunity to Link Adaptation, Biodiversity, and Desertification
25th of May 2025
Egyptian Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad, in a meeting with Ambassador Seyni Nafo of the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI), emphasized the urgent need to link food security with climate adaptation, biodiversity, and desertification efforts, highlighting Egypt’s success in renewable energy as a model for de-risking private sector investment. She called for transforming national adaptation plans into actionable, financeable projects, citing tools like Egypt’s climate risk map and new climate finance systems. Egypt, set to host the AAI’s 10th anniversary, reaffirmed its leadership in advancing Africa’s adaptation agenda, while Nafo stressed the importance of turning adaptation goals into concrete investments—particularly in food systems—and announced a training program to improve access to adaptation finance and enhance public-private collaboration across the continent.
Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad tapped to lead UN desertification body
25th of May 2025
The UN has appointed Egyptian Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad as the next Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, a three-year role she will assume later this year, succeeding Mauritania’s Ibrahim Thiaw. With over 25 years of experience in environmental governance and having led Egypt’s Environment Ministry since 2018, Fouad is recognized as a veteran in international climate diplomacy. Her departure will necessitate a cabinet reshuffle, as Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly will need to appoint a new environment minister.
Environment Minister urges stronger private sector role in green investment
25th of May 2025
Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad urged Egypt’s business community to play a more active role in advancing the country’s environmental and climate goals, highlighting the ministry’s shift since 2019 from regulatory barrier to development partner. Speaking at a high-level meeting with the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association (EBA), she unveiled reforms to attract private investment in areas like waste management, eco-tourism, and pollution control—citing successful initiatives such as turning rice straw into commercial products. Fouad announced the creation of an Environmental and Climate Investment Unit to streamline green project development and permitting, now issued within seven days. EBA members praised the ministry’s new direction and offered their network for joint awareness and policy efforts. Fouad also proposed launching a National Environmental Dialogue for Business on June 5 to foster collaboration on issues like green finance and carbon regulation.
Egypt’s Environment Minister chairs regional CEDARE meeting ahead of UN desertification role
26th of May 2025
At the 18th Board of Trustees meeting of the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), held at the Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad chaired discussions alongside senior Arab and international officials, marking her final appearance before assuming her new role as Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Fouad praised Saudi Arabia’s strong support to CEDARE, called for greater Arab-European collaboration, and urged reforms to enhance CEDARE’s strategic impact, including stronger private-sector engagement and a shift toward circular economy models to address climate-related challenges like water scarcity and food insecurity. The board approved a one-year term extension, reviewed financial and institutional reports, and emphasized the need to restructure governance and expand partnerships in line with evolving regional priorities.
Cairo Climate Talks 100th edition highlights Egypt-Germany commitment to climate cooperation
27th of May 2025
Held under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Environment and the German embassy, the recent Cairo Climate Talks (CCT) celebration brought together Egyptian and German officials, civil society leaders, and international partners to mark 14 years of collaboration on climate and sustainability. Key speakers—including Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad, Water Resources Minister Hani Sewilam, and German Ambassador Jürgen Schulz—praised CCT as a hub for innovation, dialogue, and cooperation across sectors such as water, energy, and biodiversity. The event featured a high-level panel and the launch of a public Summer Festival, highlighting CCT’s role in advancing Egypt’s Vision 2030 and strengthening bilateral ties through inclusive climate action.
Environment minister highlights Kingdom’s role in green initiatives across Arab region
27th of May 2025
At the 18th meeting of the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) in Cairo, Saudi Environment Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli emphasized Saudi Arabia’s leadership in advancing regional environmental initiatives, such as the Middle East Green Initiative. He highlighted the Arab region’s growing momentum in tackling climate change, land degradation, and food security, citing past COP presidencies by Egypt and the UAE, and Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 and launch of the Global Water Organization. The meeting reviewed CEDARE’s strategic direction, financial capacity, and plans to enhance Arab-European cooperation and promote circular economy models aligned with sustainable development goals.
Egypt pushes climate-smart farming to the forefront
27th of May 2025
The fifth “Bridging Evidence and Policy” seminar, hosted by the Egyptian Food Bank, Sawiris Foundation, and IFPRI, focused on advancing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Egypt to address growing environmental challenges like water scarcity and soil degradation. Bringing together policymakers, experts, and civil society, the event highlighted the importance of integrating robust climate data, innovative agricultural techniques, and evidence-based policymaking to enhance food security, resource efficiency, and farmer resilience. The seminar underscored the need for cross-sector collaboration and ethical sourcing frameworks to support sustainable rural livelihoods and align Egypt’s development strategies with climate resilience goals.
Egypt Advances Bird Conservation Along Critical Flyways
29th of May 2025
Egypt has made significant strides in bird conservation since the early 2000s, leveraging its strategic location along the Rift Valley/Red Sea flyway, a key migratory route for over 1.5 million birds annually. The Galala Bird Observatory, established in 2022, plays a vital role in monitoring tens of thousands of migratory birds, including endangered species like the Egyptian vulture and Steppe Eagles. Supported by international partnerships and funding, Egypt has implemented strong legal protections, hunting bans at critical sites like Lake Nasser, and innovative measures to reduce bird collisions with renewable energy infrastructure. The country is also promoting birdwatching and eco-tourism as sustainable economic alternatives, integrating conservation efforts into its biodiversity strategy. Recognized regionally for its leadership with awards such as the AEWA Conservation Award, Egypt continues to advance collaborative initiatives that engage government, researchers, and communities to protect migratory birds while boosting public awareness and sustainable tourism.
Egypt’s GAFI courts Dutch investment in waste recycling sector
29th of May 2025
Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and the Egyptian Embassy in The Hague hosted a roundtable with 30 Dutch companies during the World Hydrogen Summit to discuss investment opportunities in Egypt’s waste management and recycling sector. GAFI CEO Hossam Heiba highlighted Egypt’s attractive investment climate and government incentives for green industries, emphasizing the strategic importance of recycling for both economic growth and environmental sustainability. Dutch development finance institution Invest International expressed strong support for Dutch firms entering Egypt’s recycling market, while Signify, a leading Dutch lighting company, announced plans to expand its sustainability investments in Egypt. The meeting also included officials from the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the Egyptian Cabinet, and GAFI’s Dutch investment unit, reflecting growing bilateral cooperation in environmental sustainability and green industries.
Upcoming Events:
69th Meeting of the GEF Council, 2–6 June 2025, Washington, DC, United States of America, More Info
8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2–6 June 2025, Geneva, Switzerland, More Info
One Ocean Science Congress, 4–6 June 2025, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, France, More Info
World Environment Day 2025, 5 June 2025, worldwide, More Info
Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025, 7–8 June 2025, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, France, More Info
Third UN Ocean Conference, 9–13 June 2025, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, France, More Info