May 20, 2014 representatives from 29 countries and 13 international organizations declare a communique to formulate important issues and emergency threats about coral reefs around the world and to take steps to guarantee the sustainability of marine resources.
The ratification of the communique held in World Coral Reef Conference or WCRC, May, 14-16, 2014 in Manado, North Sulawesi, which also coincides with the fifth meeting of Council of Ministers of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF).
The six member countries of CTI-CFF are Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, officially signed a legal agreement to establish permanent Regional Secretariat based in the 1.5 hectares area in Manado. The Regional Secretariat will become control center and the main coordinating body to implement the CTI-CFF Regional Action Plan.
As expressed by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif C. Sutardjo after the fifth meeting of Ministerial Council, CTI-CFF in Manado, Thursday (15/5). “The action plans cover some activities such as define seascapes to focus their efforts on marine resources management, build water areas conservation, improving sustainable fisheries management, strengthening climate change adaptation in coastal area and safe endangered marine species,” Sharif said.
Sharif also said, the permanent function of Regional Secretariat of the CTI-CFF expected to strengthen regional cooperation among the six countries to maintain their marine resources and to ease the event in regional, national and local level. “Besides agreeing on regional institution establishment, CTI-CFF Minister Board also approved operational plan and funding for the Regional Secretariat for 2014 and 2015,” said Sharif.
CTI-CFF Minister Board also legalized the application for Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System/CTMPAS) and the edification of CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum. “Besides agreeing Coral Triangle Center application as CTI-CFF partner, the ministers also legalize some final step in the recognition process of Brunei Darussalam as a new Member of the CTI-CFF, who attend in that meeting as an observer,” Sharif said.
CTI-CFF activities implemented by the member countries and endorsed by various partners, such as the Australian Government, the United States Government, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Global Environment Facility and NGOs such as Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Worldwide Fund for Nature and Coral Triangle Center.
CTI-CFF Minister Board gave an appreciation certificate and acknowledgment to president of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his leadership in establishing the CTI-CFF and appreciation certificate for Manado people as the host of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat. Ratih Rimayanti.