The abundant coral reefs found in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, which provide countless ecosystem services for millions of inhabitants of coastal areas, are some of the most climate change-vulnerable ecosystems in the global ocean. Since 2012, the IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC) has successfully collaborated with scientific communities and governance structures in the region to address ocean acidification. The side event will highlight the success stories and lessons learned, emphasize current and projected challenges to marine food chains, human sustenance, economic activities and seafood security, and discuss sustainable pathways for effective adaptation and mitigation solutions.