David Obura chairs the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) for the 2023-2026 term. He is also a Founding Director of CORDIO East Africa, a knowledge organization dedicated to supporting the sustainability of coral reef and marine systems in the Western Indian Ocean. Additionally, he serves on the Earth Commission from 2019 to 2026.
His primary research has concentrated on coral reef resilience, biogeography, and the impacts of climate change.