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.
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Police, paramedics, firefighters and the public will walk from Newcastle to Penrith this September for World Suicide Prevention Day.
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NSW schools, gyms, 000 services and the public are being called on to lace up for Steps for the Love of Living, a four-day, 200km walk from Newcastle to Penrith held in honour of World Suicide Prevention Day.
The walk will draw star power as well as solidarity: legendary MMA fighter and former WIBA and WBF world champion boxer Arlene Blencowe, known as “The Aussie Girl ‘Angerfist'” and a respected youth mentor, will join the walk’s final leg from Parramatta to Penrith.
She’ll be joined by five-time Olympian and diving icon Melissa Wu, Ambassador for the Step Into Action Foundation.
The walk runs from September 10 to 13, beginning on World Suicide Prevention Day itself, and starts at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium before finishing at Penrith Showground.
It’s a joint initiative between The Australian Man Cave Support Group Inc and the Step Into Action Foundation, two organisations working on the frontline of suicide prevention in NSW.
The Australian Man Cave provides a safe, non-judgmental space for men to speak openly, with a focus on reducing the rate of male suicide, while Step Into Action concentrates on youth suicide prevention through resilience-building and early-intervention programs.
This year’s event also features a friendly inter-service challenge between NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire & Rescue NSW, SES, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Rural Fire Service, who’ll compete to walk the furthest and raise the most for suicide-prevention initiatives.
“This walk is about hope, connection, and standing together,” said Lou Greco, President and Co-Founder of The Australian Man Cave Support Group Inc. “Every step taken is a step toward saving a life.”
Leading the charge is Chris Barton, Founder of the Step Into Action Foundation and a long-distance walking adventurer, who is taking on the full 200km route.
He’ll be joined for part of the way by the “Bakery Brothers”, Tyson Pedro and Rama Pattison, who are trading in punches and pastries for kilometres, walking the full distance alongside Chris.
How to get involved
The event is open to everyone, not just those able to walk the full distance. Participants can:
- Walk the full 200km from Newcastle to Penrith
- Join for a single day or section of the route
- Take part virtually from anywhere in Australia — at school, the gym, work or in the local community, logging kilometres through walking, running, rowing, cycling or treadmill sessions
000 services can enter as teams for the inter-service challenge, and schools and gyms are encouraged to form their own teams to complete the distance collectively.
Funds raised will go towards mental health first aid training, crisis response support, community outreach programs, support services for at-risk men and families, and youth suicide awareness and prevention programs.
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among Australian men and young people. Both organisations say the walk is about ensuring no one feels alone in their struggle.
To register or find out more, visit stepsforloveofliving.com.au.
This is a sensitive topic. If this raises any issues for you, Lifeline is available on 13 11 14.
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