ED Statement on the Celebration of Earth Day

Press Statement

EARTH DAY 2021

CTI-CFF commits support and cooperation to restore the world’s ecosystems

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), through its Regional Secretariat, joins all member nations in celebrating Earth Day with this year’s theme: “Restore Our Earth.”

The immense impact of COVID-19 around the world continues to be felt. Many lives were lost, and countless people are still struggling to survive. Economies and social activities have been disrupted to save human lives.

On the positive side, decreases in human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, ocean pollution, carbon emissions, and plastic pollution have allowed the environment to regenerate. Studies show that lockdowns reduced water and air pollution, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions, in many countries.

At CTI-CFF, we believe this is an opportunity to create a master plan at the national, regional, and international levels to sustainably restore the world’s ecosystems. Accordingly, CTI-CFF is fast-tracking the completion of its next decade-long Regional Plan of Action (RPOA 2.0) to sustain and protect marine and ocean environments that provide numerous benefits to current and future generations, especially in the Coral Triangle region.

CTI-CFF will continue to facilitate regional collaboration on sustainable development policies and practices related to marine resource management by providing concrete conservation actions with good governance, while recognizing the unique political, cultural, economic, and social contexts of the Coral Triangle member countries.

Let us all continue to work together to protect and restore our Earth!

DR. MOHD KUSHAIRI MOHD RAJUDDIN

Executive Director, CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat