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  • 09 Apr 2019

Manila, Philippines, 4 April 2019 – The CTI-CFF conveyed its commitment to collaborate with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of Western Pacific (WESTPAC) towards 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 the CTI-CFF member countries, which endeavor to work together to reverse the decline of the ocean as well as marine and coastal health and resources. Particularly, to protect, sustain, and improve the condition of the 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 gathers ocean stakeholders globally behind a common framework that ensures ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the ocean.

The First World Ocean Assessment released in 2016 revealed that much of the oceans are gravely degraded, with changes and losses in the structure, function, and benefits from marine systems. Furthermore, the ocean’s condition is expected to worsen as the human population grows towards the projected 9 billion by 2050.

“CTI-CFF’s Technical Working Groups and Scientific Advisory Group could collaborate with IOC WESTPAC in generating scientific inputs on emerging and crucial issues on oceans as well as disseminating and promoting these findings to broader scientific communities,” Dr. Siry said. He added that CTI-CFF University Partners can collaborate with IOC WESTPAC working groups to promote ocean science through educational and 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 summer camps or training activities for the IOC WESTPAC working group.

Dr. Vo Si Tuan, Chairperson of IOC WESTPAC Advisory Group, and Dr. Wenxi Zhu, Head of IOC WESTPAC, both appreciated the participation of CTI-CFF in the session and expressed interest in substantive collaboration on marine technology applications, coral reef protection, and coral reef ecosystems in the future.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jerker Tamalander of the UN Environment Programme called for IOC WESTPAC to review the Report on Return of Investments to CTI-CFF, which uses scientific data to analyze reef degradation and restoration projects. He noted that the information could be useful for IOC WESTPAC as a reference for potential collaboration with CTI-CFF in the future. (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, 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 the approval of the leaders from 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;
  5. Improving the status of threatened marine species.

 

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 monitors the progress of the implementation of the RPOA goals. It also supports official meetings and events, including cross-cutting services for monitoring and evaluation, financial coordination, information management, and outreach. Furthermore, the RS coordinates the implementation of the CTI-CFF RPOA, provides support to National Coordinating Committees (NCCs), and advises the CTI-CSO on emerging opportunities and priorities to achieve RPOA goals and targets. The RS also serves as a channel for communication, information sharing, and networking among Parties, CTI Partners, and other organizations and donors to promote CTI-CFF objectives.

The Regional Secretariat is based in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

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Media Contact:

Janet Rosalie Anne H. Polita

Communication Officer