Regional Secretariat to Conduct the First CTI-CFF University Partnership Meeting

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Regional Secretariat to Conduct 
the First CTI-CFF University Partnership Meeting

# Highlight a crucial theme of “Building Tangible Program Actions for Capacity Building and Research Collaboration”

# Prominent Universities from six (6) CTI-CFF Member States (particularly focusing on fisheries and marine resources) confirmed their participation: four (4) from Indonesia (IPB, ITS, Unhas, Unsrat); University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT); University Of Papua New Guinea (UPNG); Solomon Islands National University (SINU); Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL); James Cook University (JCU), Australia; and six (6) representatives from the respective Member States’ National Coordinating Committees (NCCs).

Manado, 23 February 2017 – Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat held the first CTI-CFF University Partnership Meeting at the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Headquarter, Manado, from 28 February to 1 March 2017.

The main objectives of the 2-day meeting include promoting marine conservation, sustainable fisheries management, and safeguarding food security through capacity building, research, and outreach via joint cooperation between CT6 universities and Governments (Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste).

“We recognize the need for active participation from universities to assist CT6 Member States’ implementation of programs on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and food security at national, local, and grassroots levels.”

“These universities have the latest scientific research on challenges and developments in our core areas, while the Governments have implemented programs in these areas in the field. We aim to marry these two institutions to make better informed decisions for the benefit of the people,” explained Widi A. Pratikto, Ph.D, Executive Director, Regional Secretariat CTI-CFF.

The main objectives of this convention are to ensure that recommendations are made to: establish robust partnership arrangements between universities and CT6 relevant Government institutions, and plan and secure funding for capacity building and research collaboration programs based on sound science, especially in fisheries and marine sectors.

Specifically, the convention aims to focus on: capacity building of human resources; establishment of a Study Center (for climate change adaptation, biodiversity, and resource interconnectivity); scientific findings within the Coral Triangle region; certification programs for fisheries and marine products; and strengthening the relationships and capacities of National Coordinating Committees (NCCs), Technical Working Groups (TWGs), and the Regional Secretariat.

Participating universities include: Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Bogor; Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya; Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), Makassar; Universitas Sam Ratulangi (Unsrat), Manado; Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Malaysia; University Of Papua New Guinea (UPNG); Solomon Islands National University (SINU); Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL), Timor-Leste; and James Cook University (JCU), Australia.

Representatives from CT6 NCCs, as well as officials from the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Indonesia), Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs (Indonesia), Indonesian Institutes of Sciences (LIPI), Education and Cultural Attaches of Indonesian Embassies, Center of Remote Sensing and Ocean Sciences (CReSOS) Udayana University – Bali, World Conservation Society (WCS), and GIZ Philippines, have also confirmed participation.

-end-

About CTI-CFF

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six member states working together to preserve marine resources and coastal areas. Key issues include food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity. Established in 2009, CTI-CFF members (Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste) adopted the CTI Regional Plan of Action (CTI RPOA), a strategic plan with working groups on (i) seascape management, (ii) ecosystem-based fisheries management, (iii) marine protected areas, (iv) climate change adaptation, and (v) endangered species management.

Media Contact

Andie Wibianto
Information and Communication Manager
E: andiewibi@cticff.org
M: +628567653939