Partnerships

Through its Environment Department, the World Bank has been an active member in a number of International Partnerships related to coastal and marine resources:

	Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management (CRTR). The Coral Reef Targeted Research & Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program is a leading international coral reef research initiative that provides a coordinated approach to credible, factual and scientifically-proven knowledge for improved coral reef management.
	Global Environment Facility (GEF). The GEF is the financing mechanism for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as other key international environmental agreements. As a GEF implementing agency, the World Bank helps identify, prepare and implement projects that reduce poverty and benefit the local and global environment.
	Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands. The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands was created at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa in September 2002. It aims to advance the interests of oceans (incorporating 72% of the Earth), coasts (the home of 50% of the world's population), and islands (43 of the world's nations are small island developing States which are especially dependent on the oceans).
	International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a partnership among governments, international organizations, and non-government organizations. It strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems by implementing Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, and other relevant international conventions and agreements.
	International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN). A programme that promotes experience sharing and learning among GEF International Waters projects and the country officials, agencies, and partners working on them. This website serves as the Knowledge Base for GEF IW:LEARN and contains an extensive collection of resources, experiences, and materials for the portfolio.
	PROFISH. World Bank has established a new Global Program on Fisheries (PROFISH) in association with key donors and stakeholders to meet the challenge of this growing crisis. PROFISH is a programming and funding partnership between key fishery sector donors, international financial institutions, developing countries, stakeholder organizations, and international agencies.
	UN Atlas fot he Oceans. The UN Atlas of the Oceans is an Internet portal providing information relevant to the sustainable development of the oceans. It is designed for policy-makers who need to become familiar with ocean issues and for scientists, students and resource managers who need access to databases and approaches to sustainability. The UN Atlas can also provide the ocean industry and stakeholders with pertinent information on ocean matters.
	UN Oceans. In 2003, the United Nations System Chief Executives Board endorsed the creation of an Oceans and Coastal Areas Network (subsequently renamed UN-OCEANS) to establish an effective, transparent and regular inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean and coastal issues within the United Nations system.