• News
  • admin
  • 31 May 2014

The CTI-CFF Council of Ministers (CTI COM), acting on the recommendation of the Committee of Senior Officials, has approved the 2014 Operations Plan and Budget for the soon-to-be established permanent Regional Secretariat of the CTI-CFF.

The approval was made at the CTI COM’s fifth meeting in Manado, Indonesia, on May 15, concluding a multi-stage process that began with staff work and discussions at the level of the Coordination Mechanisms Working Group (CMWG). The CMWG finalized the Plan and Budget on May 13, coinciding with the first day of a week-long series of CTI-CFF activities at the World Coral Reef Conference, held May 14–17 in Manado.

An indicative plan and budget for 2015 has also been approved.

The 2014 Operations Plan focuses on establishing the institutional structures required for the permanent Secretariat to function effectively, including basic staffing, operational systems, and secured finances, providing a platform for future growth and fulfillment of its functions.

The Plan identifies three priority areas:

  1. Completion of the institutional framework for the Regional Secretariat;
  2. Establishment of the Regional Secretariat office and systems;
  3. Maintenance of core Regional Secretariat functions.

Two key steps remain to complete the Secretariat’s institutional framework:

  1. At least four countries must effect entry into force of the Secretariat Establishment Agreement by depositing their instruments of ratification with the Government of Indonesia as Depository. Malaysia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, which have already ratified the Agreement, are expected to comply first.
  2. The Secretariat and the Government of Indonesia must finalize the Host Country Agreement and recruit the Executive Director.

The Secretariat will be based in Manado, Indonesia, at a facility called the “CTI Centre,” built by the Indonesian Government to serve as the CTI-CFF headquarters.

During its first year, the Secretariat will primarily be responsible for:

  • Establishing financial management, IT, and administration systems;
  • Fitting out the Secretariat building and arranging insurances;
  • Completing the handover of functions from the Interim Regional Secretariat (IRS);
  • Fully developing its 2015 Operations Plan and Budget;
  • Mobilizing financial and other resources, including country contributions, to implement the 2015 Plan.

The IRS, based in Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and funded by the Indonesian Government with support from Australia, the United States, and the Asian Development Bank, has been providing secretariat functions for the CTI-CFF, including coordinating thematic and governance technical working groups.

In addition to setting up systems, the permanent Secretariat will take over from the IRS a number of core functions, including:

  • Implementing the CTI regional roadmap;
  • Facilitating regional meetings, communications, and representation;
  • Undertaking strategic planning;
  • Liaising with CTI-CFF Partners and potential supporters to mobilize resources for implementing CTI-CFF plans and actions.

The approved 2014 operating budget is USD 548,296, including USD 158,850 earmarked to ensure that the Secretariat can operate from the date the Executive Director formally assumes office, potentially July 1, 2014.

The primary funding source for the 2014 Budget is the CTI-CFF Member Countries. Additional support comes from CTI-CFF Partners and donors, with the Indonesian Government, as host country, expected to provide further contributions and support.