GFCR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for Monitoring and Evaluation

The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) has established a Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for Monitoring and Evaluation (STAG). The STAG is comprised of independent international experts in diverse fields related to coral reef conservation, management, restoration, socio-economics of coral reef adjacent communities as well as conservation finance and sustainable business experts. The group will provide recommendations and advice to the GFCR Secretariat and key partners with a focus on monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

Following a selection process for expert identification managed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the GFCR STAG membership is comprised of the following individuals:

• Yimnang Golbuu, Palau International Coral Reef Center
• Emily Darling, Wildlife Conservation Society
• Francis Staub, International Coral Reed Initiative
• Anastazia Banaszak, National Autonomous University of Mexico
• Ranjeet Bhagooli, International Coral Reef Society / University of Mauritius
• Elizabeth Shaver, The Nature Conservancy
• Arthur Tuda, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association
• Margaux Hein, Independent
• Buki Rinkevich, Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research
• David Smith, University of Essex / Mars
• Sylvain Pioch, Université de Montpellier
• Austin Bowden-Kerby, Corals for Conservation
• Joseph Maina, Macquarie University
• Serge Planes, Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l’Environnement
• Mary Allen, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / Socio-economic Monitoring for Coastal Management
• Charlotte Gough, Blue Ventures
• Peter Mumby, University of Queensland
• Annette Breckwoldt, Centre for Tropical Marine Research
• Kirsten Oleson, University of Hawaii
• Jeremy Prince, Biospherics
• Anderson Mayfield, International Coral Reef Society
• Emily Corcoran, Independent
• Melanie McField, Director, Healthy Reefs Initiative, Smithsonian Institution
• Lauretta Burke, World Resources Institute
• Adel Heenan, Global Fishing Watch
• Sue Wells, Independent
• Sophie Benbow, Flora & Fauna International
• Philippa Cohen, Independent
• Niphon Phongsuwan, International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Joshua Cinner, James Cook University
• Matthew Curnock, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
• David Souter, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

The GFCR was launched in September 2020 by a coalition of private foundations, Member States, UN agencies and private sector impact investors with the ambition to mobilise USD $625 million for coral reef conservation. The GFCR is the first and only global blended finance instrument dedicated to coral reefs. The global initiative promotes a ‘protect-transform-restore-recover’ approach concentrated on coral reef ecosystems with the greatest chance of surviving climate change. A robust monitoring and evaluation process is crucial to ensure that the progress of the GFCR in meeting its objectives and desired outcomes.