Soneva’s Coral Program Earns UN Backing in Major Win for Marine Restoration
Soneva’s groundbreaking Coral Restoration Program in the Maldives has been endorsed by the United Nations and listed on UNESCO’s Ocean Decade platform, recognising it as a global model for reef regeneration and sustainable marine science.
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In a landmark moment for marine conservation, the Soneva Foundation’s Coral Restoration Program has received official endorsement from the United Nations and been listed on the UNESCO Ocean Decade website — an international recognition of its pioneering work in large-scale reef restoration.
Based in the Maldives and operating from Soneva Fushi’s AquaTerra science centre, the program is now the region’s largest coral restoration facility. Combining advanced marine biology with local collaboration, it has redefined how the tourism sector can contribute meaningfully to ocean health.
What sets the program apart is its blend of innovation and scale. The facility includes a Coral Spawning and Rearing Lab—Maldives’ first of its kind—replicating natural reef conditions to stimulate coral reproduction. Thirty micro-fragmentation tanks further accelerate coral growth, enabling up to 150,000 coral fragments to be produced and replanted on damaged reefs each year.
Since launching in 2022, Soneva’s coral team has relocated more than 31,000 coral colonies and fragments from threatened areas, establishing a thriving coral hub in the Indian Ocean.
he initiative is managed by Soneva Conservation, a Maldivian NGO set up by the Soneva Foundation, and forms part of the group’s broader sustainability strategy.
“This milestone is a testament to the scientific rigour and community-driven ethos at the heart of our work,” Dr Johanna Leonhardt, Soneva’s Coral Project Manager, said. “It validates the potential of hospitality to lead ocean regeneration at scale.”
Beyond science, the program engages governments, NGOs, research institutions and the wider tourism industry—demonstrating how cross-sector partnerships can drive real environmental impact.
The UN recognition now positions the project as a beacon for similar initiatives globally, reinforcing the Maldives’ role as both a luxury destination and a marine conservation leader.
The Soneva Foundation’s wider environmental efforts include carbon mitigation projects, reforestation, and waste-to-wealth innovation. As part of the Pallion group, Soneva continues to redefine what it means to be a responsible luxury brand.
From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.
A haven for hedge-fund titans and Hollywood grandees, Greenwich is one of the world’s most expensive residential enclaves, where eye-watering prices meet unapologetic grandeur.
From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.
3 minMother’s Day has quietly evolved. It’s no longer about last-minute flowers or safe department store buys. Instead, there’s a noticeable shift towards gifts that feel considered, personal and, increasingly, lasting.
This year’s edit leans into that idea, bringing together pieces that balance design, purpose and a sense of story.
At the more elevated end of beauty, Australian-founded skincare label Bon Elliot offers a future-facing approach grounded in dermatology.
Its Hydrating Performance Serum, priced at $220, is designed to support the skin’s natural balance, working across the microbiome, barrier and repair response for a more refined, luminous finish.
It’s the kind of gift that feels indulgent, but also quietly practical.
For something less expected, there’s a playful turn in the form of Tinned Candle’s handcrafted pieces.
Inspired by tinned fish, the Atlanta-based studio has created candles that are as much design objects as they are functional.
Importantly, they smell nothing like sardines, leaning instead into ocean breeze or champagne notes, depending on the piece . It’s a small, clever way to bring personality into a space.
There’s also a growing appetite for gifts that give something back.
Coral adoption programs offer a more meaningful alternative, allowing you to adopt a coral in your mother’s name while supporting fragile marine ecosystems under threat from climate change.
It’s less about the object and more about the gesture, which, in many ways, feels more aligned with the moment.
Homewares continue to hold their place, particularly when craftsmanship is at the centre.
Tanora’s collection, handcrafted in Madagascar, blends traditional techniques with a modern coastal aesthetic, spanning everything from woven totes to placemats and cushions.
These are pieces that don’t just decorate a home, they add texture and narrative to it.
For something more personal, Australian lingerie label Cloud Blvd offers soft, wearable luxury in the form of robes and camisoles.
With options designed for comfort as much as elegance, they strike that rare balance between everyday use and quiet indulgence.
And for the mother who loves to host, Mesa Collections delivers a playful yet polished take on the table.
Think colourful linens, sculptural silverware and small details that turn a simple meal into something more considered.
What ties all of this together is a shift in mindset.
The best gifts this Mother’s Day aren’t necessarily the most expensive or the most obvious. They’re the ones that show thought, whether that’s through design, craftsmanship or meaning.
Which, if you think about it, is exactly the point.
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