The Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group Meeting

The CTI-CFF Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group Meeting

The CTI-CFF Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group meeting was accomplished on July 27, 2023, under the leadership of Malaysia, with representatives from Indonesia and Timor-Leste in attendance, and Malaysia and the Philippines joining virtually. The meeting was conducted in person in the Best Western Hotel in Manado, and served as a continuation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Workshop from the previous day with support from USAID SuFIA project on July 25-26, 2023. It underscores the pivotal role played by USAID in supporting M&E Working Group endeavours.

The meeting marked significant progress in several key areas. Firstly, it was agreed to task the Regional Secretariat to reassure the development National Plan of Action (NPOA) based on RPOA 2.0 to the member countries, highlighting the collective commitment to advancing this crucial initiative. Additionally, the Regional Secretariat was entrusted with providing essential support in finalizing the NPOA through workshops and writeshops, with a firm deadline set for 2023.

The Meeting also commended Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines for their invaluable contributions to the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan Framework of RPOA 2.0, while encouraging Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste to promptly submit their respective data. Recognizing the importance of proficiency in Monitoring and Evaluation, the Regional Secretariat was entrusted with organizing a comprehensive training program before the next MEWG Meeting, ensuring a shared understanding and approach.

Furthermore, the group emphasized the need to solidify collaborative efforts with the Allen Coral Atlas, urging the swift finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A concurrent call was made to prioritize training on CT Atlas, with the Regional Secretariat directed to work closely with CT6 to streamline data and bolster capacity building initiatives.

The continuous backing of WWF in producing the Stocktake Report on Marine Plastic Pollution and its Sources in the Coral Triangle was also acknowledged and appreciated. It was resolved that the Regional Secretariat, in collaboration with WWF, would officially launch the report by August 2023.

WWF also supported in designing infographics for RPOA 2.0, and for this the MEWG meeting expressed gratitude for the effort. Countries encouraged WWF to collaborate with RS to provide alternative design suggestions, affirming a collective commitment to effective dissemination.

Special recognition was extended to Dato' Jana Santhiran Muniayan, Madam Noor Afifah Abdul Razak, and Dato' Mohamad Razif Bin Haji Abd Mubin for their outstanding leadership as Chair and Co-Chairs from Malaysia, alongside Co-Chair Ms. Yvonne Tio from Papua New Guinea in the year 2022-2023. The meeting made suggestions to switch leadership roles and proposed Papua New Guinea to step in as Chair, and for the Philippines to step up as Co-Chair, following the rules and procedures of the CTI-CFF.

Finally, the draft recommendations for SOM-18 were acknowledged, affirming MEWG commitment to providing valuable input to broader CTI-CFF initiatives. The Meeting concluded by endorsing the 2024 Workplan of the MEWG, underscoring a collective dedication to advancing the shared goals of the Coral Triangle Initiative.