The Women Leaders’ Forum (WLF) met last September 2019 in Bali Indonesia with NCC representatives and partners. The workshop was specifically designed to engage a cadre of coastal and marine management professionals who are eager and committed to furthering women’s leadership in coastal and marine resource management efforts.

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As a unique multilateral partnership uniting Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) acknowledges that the long-term sustainability of the region depends not only on healthy ecosystems and resilient communities, but also on strong governance, effective leadership, and robust partnerships.

Objective C of the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0 establishes a framework to enhance institutional capacity, strengthen regional cooperation, and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration across the Coral Triangle region. It recognizes that coordinated governance and shared leadership are foundational to achieving conservation, fisheries sustainability, and community resilience.

Why Objective C Is Essential for the Coral Triangle

The Coral Triangle spans a region of immense ecological, social, and economic significance. Managing resources across such a vast and interconnected seascape requires:

• harmonized policies

• coordinated regional action

• strong national institutions

• effective cross-border collaboration

• predictable financing mechanisms

• inclusive and trusted leadership

Challenges such as climate change, declining fish stocks, marine pollution, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing cannot be addressed by individual countries alone. They require regional systems, institutional leadership, and collaborative partnerships—all of which are strengthened through Objective C.

Strategic Focus of Objective C

Objective C is operationalized through two primary targets:

Target C1 — Strengthened Regional and National Governance Mechanisms

This target focuses on establishing clear, accountable, and harmonized governance frameworks that allow Member Parties to implement the RPOA 2.0 effectively.
Core elements include:

1. Enhanced Institutional Capacity

• Strengthening National Coordinating Committees (NCCs)

• Improving technical and operational capacity of government agencies

• Establishing clear mandates, roles, and coordination structures

2. Policy Harmonization

• Aligning national policies with regional objectives

• Facilitating cross-sector coordination (environment, fisheries, climate, tourism, development)

• Supporting the integration of RPOA 2.0 commitments into national plans

3. Effective Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Strengthening the CTI-CFF Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) System

• Using the CT Atlas as the regional data hub

• Facilitating transparent reporting across Member Parties

4. Sustainable Finance Mechanisms

• Resource mobilization

• Development of long-term and diversified financing strategies

• Supporting blue economy and nature-based financing opportunities

These governance improvements create a strong institutional backbone for all CTI-CFF programs.

Target C2 — Strengthened Partnerships, Coordination, and Collaborative Leadership

Target C2 recognizes that the CTI-CFF’s mission can only be achieved through cross-boundary collaboration and multi-stakeholder partnership. Key priorities include:

1. Regional and Sub-Regional Cooperation

• Facilitating technical working groups (TWGs)

• Supporting ministerial-level leadership through the Council of Ministers (COM)

• Enhancing coordination through the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO)

2. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

• Strengthening collaboration with NGOs, universities, donors, regional bodies (ASEAN, SPC, SPREP)

• Engaging private sector actors in sustainable practices and blue economy initiatives

• Supporting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in decision-making processes

3. Strategic Communications and Visibility

• Enhancing regional awareness of CTI-CFF programs

• Strengthening public communication channels

• Supporting knowledge exchange across Member Parties

4. Leadership Development

• Training future leaders in marine governance and climate resilience

• Empowering women and youth leaders in coastal management

• Supporting collaborative leadership across all levels of governance

Target C2 helps secure long-term cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

How CTI-CFF Supports Objective C Implementation

As the regional Secretariat, CTI-CFF plays a central role in facilitating governance, leadership, and partnerships across the Coral Triangle.
Key functions include:

1. Facilitating Regional Governance Structures

• Organizing COM and CSO meetings

• Coordinating Technical Working Groups

• Strengthening NCC operations

2. Providing Knowledge Platforms and Technical Guidance

• CT Atlas (regional data and indicators)

• RPOA 2.0 Implementation Framework

• Regional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System

3. Mobilizing Partnerships

CTI-CFF collaborates with:

• UN agencies

• ADB, World Bank, GEF, and other development partners

• NGOs including WWF, TNC, CI, and WCS

• Regional bodies (ASEAN, SPREP, SPC)

• Academic and research institutions

• Local governments and community-based organizations

4. Supporting Finance and Sustainability

• Facilitating donor coordination

• Identifying innovative financing opportunities

• Strengthening blue economy policy integration

Regional Impacts of Objective C

Successful implementation of Objective C results in:

• improved institutional effectiveness within Member Parties

• stronger and more coordinated regional governance

• enhanced transparency and data-based decision-making

• increased resource mobilization and sustained financing

• strengthened partnerships and inclusive stakeholder engagement

• empowered leaders at national, community, and regional levels

• more effective implementation of Objective A and B

Good governance is the enabling condition that ensures all ecological and socioeconomic goals can be achieved and sustained.

Objective C of the RPOA 2.0 underscores CTI-CFF’s commitment to building strong institutions, effective leadership, and durable partnerships across the Coral Triangle. By enhancing governance structures, improving coordination, and mobilizing multi-sector collaboration, the six Member Parties are laying the foundation for long-term environmental sustainability, socioeconomic resilience, and regional stability.

As one of the world’s most biodiverse and strategically important marine regions, the Coral Triangle requires a governance model that is inclusive, collaborative, and adaptive. Objective C provides this model—ensuring that conservation and sustainable development efforts are supported by strong leadership, good governance, and transformative partnerships.

Through collective action, CTI-CFF continues to champion regional cooperation toward a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future for the Coral Triangle and its people.

References

Regional Plan of Action 2.0 (https://new.coraltriangleinitiative.org/library/rpoa-goal-2)

SAs a multilateral initiative representing the six Member Parties—Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste—the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) recognizes that the health of marine and coastal ecosystems forms the ecological foundation of sustainability across the region. Through our Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0, we have established Objective A as a core commitment to ensuring that the region’s ecosystems remain healthy, resilient, and productive for generations to come. Objective A affirms our collective dedication to improving the condition of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, threatened species, and priority fisheries by the year 2030 through effective and coordinated management actions. 

Why Objective A Matters for the Coral Triangle

The Coral Triangle is globally recognized as the epicenter of marine biodiversity. It is home to:

• 75% of the world’s known coral species

• 37% of global reef fish species

• vast mangrove and seagrass ecosystems that act as natural climate buffers

• critical habitat for migratory and threatened species

These ecosystems provide the foundation for food, livelihoods, and coastal protection for over 120 million people living in the region.

However, increasing pressures—such as overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change—pose significant risks to the long-term health of these ecosystems. Declining ecosystem function directly affects food security, economic stability, and the well-being of communities throughout the Coral Triangle.

Objective A is therefore essential not only for ecological conservation but also for safeguarding the social and economic future of the region.

Strategic Targets Under Objective A

CTI-CFF operationalizes Objective A through three major targets designed to guide regional action toward 2030.

1. Target A1 — Ecosystems Are Healthy, Climate-Resilient, and Effectively Managed

This target focuses on protecting and restoring coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and other critical marine and coastal ecosystems. Actions under this target include:

• expanding and strengthening marine protected areas (MPAs), LMMAs, and OECMs

• enhancing management effectiveness using CTMPAS standards

• restoring degraded ecosystems and improving ecological connectivity

• mainstreaming Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) into climate response planning

• reducing land-based pollution and other threats to ecosystem integrity

Healthy ecosystems form the foundation of sustainable fisheries, coastal protection, and climate resilience across the region.

2. Target A2 — Priority and Threatened Species Are Conserved

The Coral Triangle is home to numerous threatened, migratory, and economically important species, including marine turtles, sharks, rays, and marine mammals.

Target A2 seeks to:

• protect critical habitats and migratory corridors

• reduce threats related to bycatch, illegal harvest, and wildlife trade

• strengthen regional cooperation to combat illegal trade of threatened species

• address pollution, including plastic and microplastic contamination

• improve research, monitoring, and data sharing across Member Parties

Protecting these species supports ecological balance and reinforces global commitments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and related frameworks.

3. Target A3 — Fisheries Are Healthy, Sustainable, and Productive

Sustainable fisheries are essential for regional food security and economic development.
Target A3 focuses on:

• enhancing the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM)

• improving management of artisanal, commercial, and priority fisheries (tuna, reef fish, neritic species)

• strengthening collaboration to address Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing

• increasing monitoring, compliance, and enforcement

• integrating socio-economic considerations into fisheries governance

Healthy and productive fisheries ensure long-term benefits for coastal communities and Member Parties’ national economies.

How CTI-CFF Supports the Achievement of Objective A

As the regional coordinating body, CTI-CFF facilitates cooperation among Member Parties through four core functions:

1. Policy Coordination and Regional Frameworks

We support the harmonization of national and regional policies through established frameworks such as:

• CTI Marine Protected Area System (CTMPAS)

• Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Framework

• Coral Triangle Marine Debris Prevention Framework

• Blue Carbon and coastal resilience strategies

2. Knowledge Sharing and Scientific Collaboration

CTI-CFF strengthens data-driven decision-making through:

• CT Atlas

• Regional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System

• scientific exchanges and regional learning events

3. Capacity Building and Technical Support

We provide training, technical guidance, and cross-country learning to government agencies, communities, and partners.

4. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

CTI-CFF works with international organizations, academic institutions, NGOs, and development partners to mobilize resources and scale up impactful programs.

Regional Impact of Objective A

Achieving Objective A contributes directly to:

• food security for millions of people

• sustainable fisheries and economic stability

• strengthened climate resilience and coastal protection

• preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services

• improved livelihoods and long-term community resilience

Objective A is not only an environmental goal—it is a foundation for social and economic security across the Coral Triangle.

References

Regional Plan of Action 2.0 (https://new.coraltriangleinitiative.org/library/rpoa-goal-2)