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News
- admin
- 11 Apr 2019
Manila, Philippines, 4 April 2019 – The CTI-CFF reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) toward the realization of the UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030) during the 12th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-commission for WESTPAC, held in Manila, Philippines from 2–5 April 2019.
“The UN Decade of Ocean Science aligns with the past, current, and future activities of CTI-CFF member countries, which endeavor to work together to reverse the decline of oceans and maintain marine and coastal health. It particularly aims to protect, sustain, and improve the condition of coastal and marine resources in the Coral Triangle by addressing crucial issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity,” said Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry, CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Interim Executive Director.
The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) supports efforts to protect ocean health and unites ocean stakeholders globally behind a common framework to ensure that ocean science fully supports countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable ocean development.
The First World Ocean Assessment, released in 2016, revealed that much of the oceans are gravely degraded, with significant changes and losses in the structure, function, and benefits of marine systems. Furthermore, ocean conditions are expected to worsen as the human population grows toward an anticipated 9 billion by 2050.
“CTI-CFF’s Technical Working Groups and Scientific Advisory Group could collaborate with IOC WESTPAC to generate scientific inputs on emerging and crucial ocean issues and disseminate them to broader scientific communities,” Dr. Siry said. He added that CTI-CFF University Partners could collaborate with IOC WESTPAC working groups to promote ocean science through education, professional capacity building, research, and outreach. He also noted that the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat headquarters in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, could serve as a venue for IOC WESTPAC summer camps or training activities.
Dr. Vo Si Tuan, Chairperson of the IOC WESTPAC Advisory Group, and Dr. Wenxi Zhu, Head of IOC WESTPAC, both appreciated CTI-CFF’s participation in the Session and expressed interest in future collaborations on marine technology applications, coral reef protection, and coral reef ecosystems.
Mr. Jerker Tamalander of the UN Environment Programme called for IOC WESTPAC to consider the Report on Return of Investments to CTI-CFF, which uses scientific data to analyze reef degradation and restoration projects. He noted that this information could be useful for IOC WESTPAC as a reference for potential future collaborations with CTI-CFF. (Janet Rosalie Anne H. Polita)
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About CTI-CFF
The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste (CT6). The CT6 countries work together to sustain extraordinary marine and coastal resources by addressing crucial issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity.
The CTI-CFF was formally established during the Leaders’ Summit in 2009 with approval from the leaders of the CT6 countries. They adopted the CTI Regional Plan of Action (CTI RPOA), a strategic action plan with five goals: (1) designation of effectively managed seascapes; (2) application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management; (3) establishment of a fully functional marine protected area system; (4) strengthening climate change adaptation and resilience; and (5) improving the status of threatened marine species.
About Regional Secretariat
The Regional Secretariat (RS) of the CTI-CFF is mandated to promote regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and learning facilities within the six member countries of the Coral Triangle. The RS coordinates and supports official meetings and events linked to the CTI-CFF process, including monitoring and evaluation, financial coordination, information management, and outreach. It also coordinates the implementation of the CTI-CFF RPOA and provides support to, and coordination with, National Coordinating Committees (NCCs), including advising the CTI-CSO on emerging opportunities and priorities to reach the RPOA goals and targets. The RS acts as a channel for communication and information sharing, fostering networking among Parties, CTI Partners, and other organizations and donors to promote the objectives of CTI-CFF.
The Regional Secretariat is based in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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Media Contact:
Janet Rosalie Anne H. Polita
Communication & Information Manager
CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat