January 15, 2025
First-of-its-kind funding to flow to coral reefs
Arlington, VA (JAN. 15, 2025) – Conservation International today announced that the debt-for-nature swap between the United States of America, the Republic of Indonesia and several non-governmental organizations (Conservation International, Yayasan Konservasi Cakrawala Indonesia, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara, The Nature Conservancy) has officially been closed and US$ 35 million will now begin to flow toward the protection and restoration of Indonesia’s highest priority coral reef ecosystems.
First signed in July 2024, this debt-for-nature swap marks the first time the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act will be used to drive funding specifically to coral reefs. This historic commitment will now benefit the conservation of two of the most biologically diverse reefs on the planet – the Bird’s Head and Lesser Sunda-Banda seascapes, home to iconic animals like turtles, sharks, whales and dolphins as well as hundreds of coral species. These underwater networks of sea life not only help keep the coral reefs and greater ocean healthy, they provide food security, storm surge protection, livelihoods and economic opportunity for the region.
Over the next nine years and in place of existing debt commitments, Indonesia will redirect the US$ 35 million to establish a conservation fund that will issue grants to civil society organizations and support projects designed to restore and maintain the country’s reefs. This effort will also benefit the Indigenous Peoples and local communities that rely on healthy coral reef ecosystems for sustenance and livelihoods.
For more than 35 years, debt-for-nature swaps have played an integral role in financing global conservation efforts, allowing countries to restructure their debt in a way that benefits nature and people. Conservation International brokered the first in Bolivia in 1987. To date, Indonesia has participated in four swaps with the US, three previously and this historic global first to conserve and protect coral reefs which are under threat globally from pollution, ocean acidification and record-breaking temperatures.
For more information about Conservation International’s work supporting the Birds Head Seascape and global coral reefs:
- Bird’s Head Seascape: The epicenter of marine biodiversity
- The Coral Triangle Initiative
- The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor - CMAR and Conservation International are granted $16 million in GEF funding for protection and management
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About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.