The United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in its resolution 2/12,1 on sustainable coral reefs management, requested the Executive Director of UNEP, in cooperation with the International Coral Reef Initiative, other relevant international organizations and other relevant partners, to prepare, by 2018, an analysis of global and regional policy instruments and governance mechanisms related to the protection and sustainable management of coral reefs. The present report summarizes the main findings of the completed analysis (contained in document UNEP/EA.4/INF/6) and presents recommendations for action.