CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Building and CTI Center Opens Door to Indonesian Officials

Facade of the CTI Center in Manado Credit: CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat

Two Indonesian ministers, Coordinating Minister for Welfare Affairs Agung Laksono and Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif C. Sutradjo visited the new Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat Building and CTI Center on February 11, 2013 in Manado.

This building complex is in its final stage of construction and is already 98% complete. The two ministers, who planted trees in the building's garden, were accompanied by Dr. Sudirman Saad, Chair of Interim Regional Secretariat of CTI-CFF and the relevant high level of government officials, interim Regional Secretariat, local governments, non-governmental organizations and invited guests.

Minister Sutardjo plants a tree in front of the CTI Center Credit: CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat

Minister Sutardjo spoke on behalf of the Government of Indonesia and restated the Republic of Indonesia's commitment to host the CTI-CFF as well as its commitment to support coral reefs conservation areas that have the highest marine biodiversity in the world. Indonesia has invested USD 5.5 million in the construction of the center covering 6,084 square meters. Aaprt from this, the Indonesian Government has also set aside 15,000 square meters of land for the center's expansion and supporting facilities.

"This initiative promoted cooperative efforts in managing coastal and marine environment and securing the sustainability of marine biodiversity in the areas of the CTI-CFF six member states," Mr. Sutardjo explained. MORE

Coral Triangle Countries Agree on Joint Actions to Sustainably Manage Live Reef Fish Trade

  

Representatives from SEAFDEC and CTI-CFF at the signing of the live reef fish trade resolution (L-R): Dr. Chumnarn Pongsri, Tri Hariyanto, Mohamed Razali, Asis Perez, Alex Meloty, Julio Da Cruz, Pham Anh Tuan, and Eko Rudianto Credit: US CTI

Fifty two government and private sector representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam attended an inter-governmental forum in Bangkok, Thailand on January 31-February 1, 2013 and developed a concrete roadmap to address the negative impacts of live reef fish trade in the Coral Triangle region. At the end of the forum, the government representatives from the six countries signed a resolution to establish marine protected areas that will protect fish species involved in live reef fish trade trade; develop an accreditation system designed to encourage live reef fish trade suppliers to follow sustainable and fair trade practices; consider developing a reporting system to capture relevant data and support traceability; address illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing practices; and promote collaboration among participating countries. MORE

 

Partners Allocate New Resources to the Coral Triangle Initiative

CTI partners in Bali  Credit: US CTI

On January 16-17, 2013, over 50 representatives from the CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat, official CTI-CFF partners and prospective new donors met in Sanur, Bali Indonesia at a Partner Coordination Meeting to identify needs and garner commitments to maintain the forward momentum of the Initiative. MORE