Mangrove forests, covering ~167,000–181,000 km2 across 123 countries, are among the most carbon-dense and functionally diverse ecosystems on Earth. Their capacity to sequester 5.5–6.5 Mg C ha−1 year−1 in deltaic settings and store up to 2200 Mg C ha−1 in carbonate soils underscores their disproportionate role in global climate mitigation. Beyond carbon regulation, mangroves attenuate wave energy by as much as 99% over 500 m of forest, preventing an estimated US$65 billion in annual flood damages and safeguarding more than 15 million people worldwide. Yet, despite these services, ~35% of global mangrove cover has been lost in recent decades, largely driven by aquaculture expansion, coastal development, and deforestation for timber and fuelwood. This chapter argues that mangrove conservation must be reframed not simply as an ecological priority but as an urgent global imperative for climate adaptation and socio-economic stability. By synthesizing ecological functions, socio-economic benefits, and valuation frameworks, we demonstrate that the erosion of mangrove resilience directly undermines fisheries that support millions of households, coastal infrastructure protection, and cultural heritage embedded in local communities. At the same time, fragmented research and policy silos have limited effective interventions, particularly in Asia where 36% of global losses have occurred. We contend that sustaining mangroves requires integrated strategies that align ecological restoration with local livelihood security and international climate commitments. Incorporating advances in remote sensing, economic valuation, and community-led conservation, this synthesis highlights pathways for embedding mangrove ecosystem services into adaptive governance and global sustainability agendas. Given their dual role in climate mitigation and disaster risk reduction, safeguarding mangroves represents a decisive opportunity to couple.