Specialized Training to Strengthen National Capacities in Coral Reef Monitoring in the Gulf of Aqaba

A specialized training on coral reef monitoring will be conducted in Aqaba during the period 17–21 May 2026, with the participation of technical staff and specialists from relevant environmental and marine management entities, in addition to divers from the Aqaba Marine Reserve, local community representatives, and members of the diving sector. The training aims to strengthen national capacities in coral reef environmental monitoring, ecological data analysis, and the use of modern tools and techniques for monitoring marine ecosystems.

The training is being implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an implementing partner under the Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs Programme (GFCR), on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The training forms part of ongoing efforts to support sustainable marine resource management and enhance the protection of coral reefs and coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Aqaba. It includes advanced theoretical and practical components covering field monitoring, ecological data analysis, and the use of specialized tools and software such as CoralNet, QGIS, and RStudio.