With 2023 shaping up to be the hottest year on record and El Nino conditions returning to the Pacific, the stakes have never been higher for the future of coral reefs and the communities that depend on them. Rising to this challenge requires strong cross-sector partnerships that integrate diverse skillsets and traditional and western knowledge. Presentations in this session will showcase programs, projects and initiatives that bring together researchers, First Nations people and industries to co-design and co-deliver resilience-building initiatives. Topics in this session will also share insights from the evolving role of tourism in reef management, and the research underpinning co-design and engagement that supports effective cross-sector collaboration.