The climate crisis has been emerging as one of the most significant forces shaping the Middle East, a region increasingly recognized as a climate hotspot that is warming at twice the global average rate. As the crisis deepens as manifested very clearly by the severe drought in the region this year (the winter of 2024-2025), its influence on the region becomes more pronounced. This impact manifests through a variety of phenomena, including sea level rise, an increase in extreme weather events such as sandstorms, floods, and wildfires, a reduction in annual precipitation, and rising temperatures. These developments have far-reaching implications for agriculture, economic stability, public health, tourism, and natural ecosystems. They also exacerbate internal tensions and inter-state conflict potential, as exemplified by the Syrian civil war, in which prolonged drought played a contributing role. The response and preparedness of Middle Eastern countries can be categorized into three groups: (1) Countries with resources and comprehensive climate strategies, such as the Gulf states, Morocco and Israel, which recognize the severity of the challenge and have begun implementing adaptation strategies; (2) Countries with limited resources and partial preparedness, such as Egypt and Jordan; Fragile or failed states, such as Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan and Libya, which currently lack any significant climate preparedness. Strengthening regional climate resilience and developing regional cooperation mechanisms are essential. Given the transboundary nature of climate challenges, it is imperative to foster regional preparedness through cooperative efforts both within the region and with international partners. Israel has promoted and actively participated in several such initiatives.
Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots vital for marine life and human livelihoods. Yet, they face existential threats from climate change and local stressors, with projections warning that up to 90% of global coral reefs could disappear by 2050 under current trends. The coral reefs of the northern Red Sea – particularly in the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) offer a rare refuge, demonstrating remarkable resistance to thermal stress. However, this resilience to warming will only translate into long-term survival if local pressures such as pollution, overfishing, and coastal development are stringently managed. Effective conservation in this region transcends national boundaries, as the GoA is bordered by four countries (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia) sharing interconnected marine ecosystems. This manuscript examines the critical role of Transboundary Environmental Cooperation (TEC) in safeguarding the GoA’s coral reefs as a global “reef refuge.” We review successful TEC examples in coral reef regions worldwide to draw lessons for the Red Sea. We then detail past and present transboundary initiatives in the Red Sea, highlighting achievements and chronic challenges – from regional conflicts (e.g. the war in Gaza) that have derailed joint efforts, to shifts in international support (such as the Trump administration’s funding cuts) that have left cooperation projects in limbo. In the discussion, we explore pathways to bolster regional environmental security, including open science and data-sharing platforms considering political fragmentation and active violent conflict and the proposal of a multi-nation UNESCO World Heritage Site in the GoA to institutionalize cooperation. These strategies could enhance environmental peacebuilding and resilience, ensuring that the Red Sea’s reefs of hope endure as a bastion for coral survival and regional stability.
