CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat New Year Message | |
Dr. Sudirman Saad
Chairman
Interim CTI CFF Regional Secretariat
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As year 2012 comes to an end, I am writing this end year statement as an opportunity to reflect on some of the progress year of 2012, a transitional period for Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). This year has been marked with continuous support and genuine commitment from all of you to move forward the CTI-CFF goals and targets as well as to strengthen capacity to face the challenges toward permanent Regional Secretariat. This year was also filled with your strong enthusiasts and dedications. On behalf of the Steering Committee and Executive Committee of the Interim CTI CFF Regional Secretariat, I would like to express my special thanks for your contributions and supports throughout the year of 2012. The Fourth Ministerial Meeting (MM4) of the CTI-CFF which was held in Putrajaya, Malaysia last November provided new and innovative ideas, tools, modalities and recommendations in addressing issues facing the region. Our accomplishments had been acknowledged, endorsed and adopted by Ministers from the CT6 countries. Our last meeting also proved that through countries' focal points leadership and coordination and supports from partners' representatives in maintaining the momentum of the CTI CFF, we have moved forward with remarkable progress toward signatory and ratification of the Agreement on the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Establishment. Four countries have signed the Agreement which followed by the others two. For me, it reaffirms our commitment to expedite the process of signatory and ratification. I hope by midyear 2013, we can finalize the implementation of transitional plan toward the establishment of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat. Please find attached a copy of signed the Agreement. I look forward to receiving complete signed the Agreement. MORE
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Coral Triangle Local Government Leaders Push for Regional Engagement
On December 6, 2012, local government leaders from Coral Triangle member countries - Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and Solomon Islands- gathered in Manila, Philippines and signed a declaration advocating for stronger and more direct engagement with the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) and its bodies including the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and National Coordinating Committees. Faced with the growing and common challenges of climate change impacts, destructive fishing practices, and pollution among others, the local leaders expressed urgency and commitment to work with national and regional counterparts and with each other to implement Regional and National Plans of Action of CTI-CFF. The signing which capped a four-day CTI Local Governance Network Forum held from December 3-6 builds on a series of important regional efforts to strengthen the role of local governments in the governance of marine and coastal management. MORE
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From L-R: Premier Paul Jackson Kiloe, Premier George Solingi Lilo, Mayor Eutiquio Bernales, Mayor Pedro Trinidad, Mayor Juan Sanchez, Mayor Melchor Nacario, Hon. John Micah, Ms. Ferdinanda Louhenapessy, Bupati Dr. I Nyoman Sutjidra and Bupati Hugua. Credit: USCTI
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Local Communities in Raja Ampat Embrace MPA Zoning Plan
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Community members in Raja Ampat during the traditional Timai ceremony Credit: TNC
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On November 28, 2012, the customary leaders and local communities in Raja Ampat (West Papua Province, Indonesia) formalized their commitment to enhance management effectiveness of the Southeast Misool Marine Protected Area (MPA) by declaring their zoning system through the traditional ceremony Timai, in Yellu Village, Misool Island. This action is reflection of strong grass roots support to Indonesia's CTI National Plan of Action goal to achieve 20 million hectares of marine protected area coverage by 2020. Ultimately, it supports the CTI Regional Plan of Action's aim to bolster the management of MPAs within the Coral Triangle region.
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Signing of the Misool MPA Zoning Declaration Credt: TNC
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The traditional declaration of the Southeast Misool MPA zoning is a huge mandate given by the people to the Raja Ampat government, to ensure that the marine resources in Misool are sustainably managed. The ceremony was also attended by the Unit Pelaksana Teknis Daerah Head and his staff, Tourism Agency, Police, Misool Eco Resort, Misool Baseftin, Yellu Mutiara, and the heads of sub-district, village and tribal elders. The head of the pearl farm Yellu Mutiara issued an 'official holiday' to enable staff to attend this important event. "We sent out 480 invitations (thinking many might not make it), and ended up with close to 1,000 people attending to give their support!!!" expressed the farm manager. MORE
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Milestones in Mapping and Assessment of Coastal and Marine Habitats in Timor-Leste
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Bacau in the northwest coast of Timor-Leste Credit: Ian Leiper/CDU
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One year on from its rollout, mapping experts from Charles Darwin University, along with their colleagues from the Timor-Leste government, have made considerable progress in mapping the marine and coastal habitats of Timor-Leste.
Funded by the Australian Government as part of its commitment to deliver CTI-CFF support in Timor-Leste, this mapping project aims to produce a national dataset for use by the Timor-Leste government, which will inform future planning and management activities. The project focuses on charting un-surveyed regions of the northwest and south coasts, including Atauro Island and the exclave of Oecussi. The project also aims to increase the skills of officers from the Timor-Leste Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF)-particularly mapping officers from the Ministry's Agriculture and Land Use Geographic Information System (ALGIS) area. MORE
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Development Partners Aim to Strengthen Alignment of Regional and National Activities
Representatives from various development and non-government organizations supporting the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) will gather in Bali, Indonesia on January 16-17, 2013 to increase coordination of activities that will ensure the initiative's sustainability.
The two-day event is also expected to explore new partner and donor coordination mechanisms and facilitate understanding of current partner support projects, including timelines and upcoming activities. MORE
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CTI-CFF Holds Intergovernmental Live Reef Fish Trade Forum
To further understand and address the issue of Live Reef Fish Food Trade in the Coral Triangle, representatives from key government fisheries agencies within Coral Triangle Countries, in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), will come together on January 31 to February 1, 2013 in Bangkok to discuss strategies and identify pragmatic solutions to support sustainability of LRFFT industry in the region. MORE
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NEW PUBLICATIONS
 The ASEAN Biodiversity Magazine features the CTI-CFF's efforts to strengthen climate change adaptation at the front line (click the cover to download a copy)
The Australia Government
CTI newsletter features highlights from the 8th Senior Officials Meeting and activities in the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste (click the cover to download a copy)
ADB's KM for CTI Project evaluates various CTI-CFF linked websites (click the cover to download a copy)
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