In 2015 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development committing to “achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – in a balance and integrated manner.” As the world grows smaller and more interconnected, balanced and integrated action is needed to ensure equitable benefits for people without sacrificing the natural resources and ecosystem services billions depend on for their well-being.
reads
Co-funded by Australian government and WWF's corporate partner John West Australia to improve livelihoods and food security of coastal fishing communities and small scale and artisanal fishers in Gizo, Western Province, Solomon Islands.
On 19-20 July 2016, a WLF representative presented at the International Symposium on Capacity Building for Sustainable Oceans in Tokyo, Japan, hosed by the Nippon Foundation, the Government of Japan, and supported by TNC.
Ms Roziah Jalalid, Chairperson of the Omadal Women’s Association from Sabah, Malaysia represented WLF and shared how WLF allowed her to learn from other women working on sustainable marine and coastal management across Malaysia.
As part of the side events of the International Coral Reef Symposium in Honolulu, Hawaii CTC and the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat presented the CTI-CFF Women Leaders Forum milestones at the East-West Center on June 24, 2016.
In September, TNC brought together WLF representatives from PNG and Solomon to a week-long learning exchange during the World Conservation Congress in Hawaii. The women worked on grassroots natural resource management, and the learning exchange provided an opportunity to share their experiences, knowledge and challenges with one another.
On 15-17 June 2016, the 2nd roundtable of the National PNG branch of the CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum was held in Manus province, Papua New Guinea with the theme ‘Rights-Based Management is empowering women in food security, sustainable community fisheries and climate adaptation programs in rural communities of PNG’.
Four women leaders from Indonesia participated in roundtable discussion at the sidelines of 4th CTI-CFF Regional Business Forum in August 27, 2015 to inspire and engage women entrepreneurs to successfully catalyze sustainable and environment-friendly businesses that support and sustain marine resources across Indonesia.
By sharing lessons learned and highlighting best practices, the women leaders who each built their sustainable businesses that promote marine and coastal conservation aimed to inspire more women to pursue a similar path.
Environmental managers from the Solomon Islands gathered in Honiara on August 3, 2015 and agreed to form a network and develop a national work program that will foster closer collaboration among women, offer opportunities to share information, build capacity, and develop livelihood programs where women are supported and empowered to take a central role in environmental issues and actively support the marine conservation and sustainability goals of the Coral Triangle Initiative.
The CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum Roundtable was held in Alotau, Milne Bay on March 24, 2015 where 25 women leaders from coastal communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) committed to work together, share experiences, inspire each other, and find ways to strengthen their capacity in leading marine and coastal resource conservation projects during the first ever gathering of women engaged in marine conservation and sustainable fisheries. During the forum, the women elected focal points and a secretariat for the WLF in PNG.
The CTI-CFF Women Leaders Forum Earth Hour Awareness talk was held in Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia on March 28, 2015. Organized by WWF-Malaysia and supported by USAID, DOI and CTC, the talk had 40 participants and featured four women leaders from the proposed Tun Mustapha Park in Sabah, a globally significant priority conservation area in the Coral Triangle.
WLF in Malaysia hopes to serve as a dynamic peer-learning network that shares best practices in marine resource conservation as well as a platform to build the capacity of women as environmental custodians.
