Malaysia Ratifies Agreement to Establish the CTI Regional Secretariat | |
CTI Council of Ministers Chair Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili of Malaysia at the 4th CTI-CFF Ministerial Meeting in Putrajya Credit: MOSTI
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Over 30 Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fishers and Food Security (CTI-CFF) government and partner representatives met in Sanur, Indonesia on March 21-22, 2013 to participate in multilateral meetings to address CTI-CFF governance structures and financial resources to sustain the six-country initiative. During the meeting, the Government of Malaysia announced its formal ratification of the Agreement to establish the permanent CTI-CFF Secretariat. The CTI-CFF Interim Secretariat will continue to work with the other five member countries - Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste - to complete their ratification processes by the end of 2013. The completion of the ratification process means that the member countries will have entered into a formal and permanent treaty that will provide the necessary legal basis to contribute funds to the CTI-CFF and allow for the establishment of a permanent CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat. The outcomes of this meeting builds on efforts by CTI Partners such as USAID, the  Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank to strengthen the initiative. Read more about the ratification from the letter of CTI-CFF Council Of Ministers Chair Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili, J.P. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia
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CTI-CFF Coordination Mechanisms Working Group Prepare Next Steps for Permanent Regional Secretariat Transition | |
CTI CMWG members and partner representatives in Bali Credit: Lydia Napitupulu
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The CTI-CFF Coordination Mechanisms Working Group (CMWG) held a meeting on March 21-22 2013 in Bali, Indonesia and agreed to implement a series of actions that will facilitate the implementation of the roadmap to usher the transition to a permanent CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat. These steps includes the development of a draft Operations Plan outlining the staff structure, priority functions and cost of a permanent Regional Secretariat that will take into account the desired functions and budgetary concerns of the Coral Triangle countries; establishment of an Appointment Committee and the development of a staff remuneration structure including benefits and allowances and the preparation of recruitment packages for the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director(s); design of a financial management system; and preparation of operation policies for meetings and travel. MORE
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Private Sector Commits to 'Blue Economy' for the Coral Triangle
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Private sector representatives receive their plaques of recognition at the 3rd Coral Triangle Business Forum in Bali Credit: WWF
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A number of business and industry leaders committed to implementing programs that will contribute to building a Blue Economy for the Coral Triangle region during the 3rd Coral Triangle Regional Business Forum. Companies from the seafood, tourism, shipping, manufacturing, and telecommunications sectors were among the several key business players in the region that were recognized for their environmentally-responsible business practices.
The Blue Economy concept- concept on utilizing resources more efficient, applying innovation on using waste as raw material and resource of energy that can make self-sufficiency that can apply to marine and fisheries activities-took center stage during the forum, where distinguished speakers including Prof Emil Salim, Chairs of Indonesian Presidential Advisory Team, Shanti Poesposoetjipto, President Commissioner of PT Samudera Indonesia, Aditya Utama Surono, Director of Sustainability of Anova Asia, Florendo Maranan, Executive Director of the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation, and Handry Satriago, CEO of General Electric Indonesia gave notable examples of business initiatives that allowed for profit growth, while ensuring the welfare of the natural resources and local communities. MORE
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Coral Triangle Countries Set to Begin Nominations for Regional MPA System
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Coral Triangle representatives map the criteria for the CTMPAS in Honiara Credit: A.Sia/USCTI
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CTI-CFF member countries are moving closer to finalizing the framework for the Coral Triangle Marine Protected Areas System (CTMPAS), setting the stage for the launching of the CTMPAS and the first round of nominations for regional flagship sites. At the Regional Exchange on Developing a MPA Management Effectiveness Protocol to Support the CTMPAS held in Honiara, Solomon Islands on March 12-16, 2013, the countries laid out a regional action plan that targets this year's Coral Triangle Day (June 9) for the CTMPAS launching. Ms Lynette Laroya of the Philippines, Chair of the MPA technical working group, said this action plan represents the CTI-CFF member-countries' commitments to the establishment of the CTMPAS. Under the plan, the countries will complete the final review and endorsement of the CTMPAS framework in April, and country nominations and review are slated to begin shortly thereafter, with the first regional review set for August 2013. MORE
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Multi-stakeholder Approach to Empowering Coastal Communities in Papua New Guinea
Kimbe Bay, located in West New Britain Province, off the northern coast of New Britain in Papua New Guinea, is home to some of the most ecologically significant shallow and deepwater marine habitats in the Coral Triangle. More than 60% of the Indo-Pacific's coral species and more than 860 species of reef fish are found in this 9,800 square kilometer area. Kimbe Bay is one of the priority sites identified by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Pacific Department under its Regional Technical Assistance (TA) 7753: Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific Phase 2.
Under the TA, ADB is supporting five countries: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste in the Coral Triangle, and two adjacent countries-Fiji and Vanuatu. All five countries have common environmental concerns in climate change and biodiversity conservation. With funding support from the Global Environment Facility, along with government and civil society organizations, ADB is helping to ensure that unique seascapes and other coastal and marine areas of interest within these five countries are managed in a sustainable manner. MORE
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Coral Triangle Youth
and Journalist Writing
Competition Create Buzz on Blue Economy
As a lead up to the 3rd Coral Triangle Regional Business Forum, the organizers conducted a region-wide writing competition aimed at university students and practicing journalists in the Coral Triangle,carrying the theme A Marriage of Profit and Sustainability.
Ms. Liane Stella Candelario from the University of the Philippines won the youth essay competition for her piece: Care for the Coasts - An essay on Blue Economy for the Coral Triangle Region. Ms. Khalidah Nizma Fritz from Media Indonesia Newspaper won grand prize for the journalist division while Mr. Aries Munandar, also from Media Indonesia Newspaper, won both the first runner-up and second runner-up awards for his articles.
MOREFollow this link to read Lianne Candelario's winning essay. |
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Timor-Leste Launches the Nation's First 'No Take Zones
 On February 7, 2013, Timor-Leste launched the nation's first 'No Take Zones' (NTZs), where fishing restrictions and other protective measures have been put in place to enable the replenishment of fish stocks and the protection of coral reefs that support local people. The protective measures are aimed at conserving the as-yet unrealized value of Timor-Leste's marine-based natural capital, which is essential for the food security and economic development of one of the world's newest and least developed countries. MORE |
NEW PUBLICATIONS  Reefs at Risk Revisited in the Coral Triangle Bahasa Edition
Summary Report: Regional Exchange on Developing an MPA Management Effectiveness Protocol to Support the Coral Triangle MPA System
(Click the cover to download the publications)
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