FRWG Meeting in Cebu Cultivated Fruitful Discourse and Strategic Decisions

FRWG Meeting in Cebu Cultivated Fruitful Discourse and Strategic Decisions

The Financial Resources Working Group (FRWG) of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) convened in Cebu, Philippines, on March 19, 2024. This marked a significant milestone as it was the first in-person meeting held after the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted at the Dusit Thani Hotel, the gathering brought together CT6 country members to strategize and collaborate on obtaining financial support to achieve the goals of marine conservation in the Coral Triangle.

Dr. Frank Keith Griffin, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Regional Secretariat, presided over the opening of the meeting. In his remarks, Dr. Griffin emphasized the critical role of FRWG in providing strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and sustainability of financial resources for the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0 and other relevant programs. FRWG provides guidance in engaging and establishing relationships with external funding institutions for the implementation of the RPOA, the National Plan of Action (NPOA), and other programs.

The newly appointed Deputy Executive Director for Corporate Services, Mr. Hanung Cahyono, was introduced, marking a fresh leadership in the management of CTI-CFF. Other Regional Secretariat team members present included Deputy Executive Director for Program Service Mr. Christovel R.S. Rotinsulu, Finance and Operations Manager Mrs. Reita Kalalo, and Communication and Information Manager Mrs. Dewi Satriani.

Under the chairmanship of Mr. Marcial C. Amaro Jr. from the Philippines, the meeting addressed critical agenda items presented by representatives from the CT6 countries. The Indonesian delegation was led by Mr. Witjaksono Adji, Papua New Guinea by Mr. Junior Hasu, the Philippines by Mr. John Erick Avelino, and the Solomon Islands by Ms. Ronelle Panda. Attending virtually were Malaysia, represented by Mr. Moh. Redzuan, and Timor-Leste, represented by Ms. Alda Sousa De La Rosa. Partners from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Coral Triangle Centre (CTC), WWF Coral Triangle Program, and USAID Sustainable Fisheries of Asia (USAID SuFiA) also joined virtually and provided updates on their work.

The agenda included updates on decisions outlined in the Chair’s Summary of the 18th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM-18), progress reports on various projects run by the Regional Secretariat, and discussions on potential funding opportunities.

The newly appointed CEO of the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF), Dr. Yang Mee Eng, provided updates on the development of the trust fund, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening financial mechanisms to support the implementation of RPOA 2.0. Additionally, the Regional Secretariat shared insights into the Grant Management Manual, emphasizing best practices for managing grants within the CTI-CFF framework, both as grantee and grantor.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on potential funding from the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). This underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in securing financial resources to support conservation and sustainable development initiatives in the Coral Triangle region.

As discussions unfolded, attendees reached consensus on several key actions, including finalizing audit activities for the financial year 2023, coordinating participation in the Our Ocean Conference 2024 to support fundraising efforts, and exploring opportunities to secure funding through GBFF by submitting Project Preparation Grant (PPG) proposals at national and regional levels.

Appreciation was extended to the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) of the Philippines for their exceptional support in arranging the meeting. In conclusion, the FRWG meeting in Cebu served as a pivotal moment in the collective journey toward sustainable development in the Coral Triangle.