Representatives from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), the Palau Governors’ Association, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently concluded a learning exchange visit to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, deepening regional collaboration and strengthening collective efforts to build resilience for Pacific coral reefs and the communities that depend on them.
Hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF), the visit focused on sharing practical reef restoration solutions, innovative research, and scalable technologies that can inform locally led coral reef management across the Pacific. The exchange aligns with growing regional momentum to deliver on the Pacific Coral Reef Action Plan 2021–2030, a shared framework guiding coordinated action to safeguard coral reefs in the face of climate change.
A key highlight of the visit was an immersive learning experience at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), where participants engaged directly with scientists to learn about cutting-edge coral research, monitoring tools, restoration techniques, and climate adaptation technologies. These hands-on discussions provided valuable insights into how science and innovation can be translated into practical, community-relevant solutions.
Participants also had the opportunity to experience the Great Barrier Reef firsthand through a guided snorkel, reinforcing the urgency and shared responsibility of protecting one of the world’s most iconic reef systems. For many delegates, the experience underscored both the vulnerability and resilience of coral reefs, and the importance of collective regional action.
The exchange fostered meaningful peer-to-peer learning with representatives from Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and other regional collaborators. These conversations emphasized the value of sharing lessons learned, aligning approaches, and strengthening partnerships to accelerate impact across island nations.
“This visit was not only about learning from global leaders in reef science and restoration, but about building relationships and shared understanding across the Pacific,” said Roxanne Blesam, PICRC CEO. “By exchanging knowledge and experiences, we are better equipped to support climate-resilient reefs and communities at home.”
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation continues to prioritize regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation as core to advancing coral reef resilience. The visit marks another step forward in strengthening Pacific partnerships and translating global expertise into locally grounded action.
As Pacific nations face increasing climate pressures, exchanges like this reaffirm a shared commitment: working together, learning from one another, and turning science into solutions that protect reefs for future generations.