CORDIO works in 14 countries of the Indian Ocean, covering East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa), South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Maldives), Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia) and the Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Reunion), and has been active since 1999.

CORDIO supports biophysical monitoring and research on coral reefs, participatory monitoring of artisanal fisheries (biological, resource and socio-economic), education and awareness raising, and policy development. Its primary goal is to conserve biodiversity in the context of improved livelihoods and sustainable development, of people directly dependent on coastal and marine resources.

CORDIO-East Africa is a not-for-profit organization, limited by guarantee, under the laws of Kenya. CORDIO East Africa was registered to implement the CORDIO programmes in East Africa, focussing on coral reef health and recovery following mass mortality of corals in 1998 and addressing artisanal fishermen on coral reefs as the human population group that is most vulnerable to reef degradation.