The 18th Senior Officials Meeting of the CTI-CFF

The 18th Senior Officials Meeting of the CTI-CFF

The 18th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM-18) of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security marked a significant step forward in regional cooperation and conservation efforts. Held on November 6-7, 2023, via the Zoom virtual meeting platform, the event was chaired by His Excellency Celestino Da Cunha Barreto, Chair of the Committee of Senior Officials, representing Timor-Leste. This virtual gathering brought together all six member countries, underlining the continued commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the Coral Triangle region.

The primary objectives of SOM-18 were multi-faceted, including acknowledging reports and addresses, providing approval for the budget and work plans of various working groups for 2024, and expressing gratitude for the support received from strategic partners and other stakeholders.

The meeting summed up 136 acknowledgements and recommendations outlined in the Chair's Summary. These decisions were a culmination of collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including technical working groups, the Regional Secretariat, the University Partnerships, and strategic partners. The decisions align with the goals set forth in the Regional Plan of Action 2.0, illustrating a collective commitment to safeguarding the Coral Triangle's rich marine biodiversity.

Key decisions emerging from SOM-18 include the development of a National Plan of Action for each member country, expedite the operational of the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund, and the establishment of an Internal Control Committee. This committee, suggested by external auditors, will play a pivotal role in supporting the Regional Secretariat, enhancing its operational efficiency and financial integrity.

Furthermore, the meeting endorsed potential partnerships to strengthen the Coral Triangle Atlas—a crucial tool for monitoring and marketing efforts. This collaborative approach aims to harness the expertise of various stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of conservation initiatives.

SOM-18 also expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from partners, with special recognition given to USAID for its contributions, including the Sustainable Fish Asia Technical Support project. Additionally, the Coral Triangle Center and WWF were acknowledged for their collaborative efforts with the Regional Secretariat in developing the Capacity Building RoadMap.

At the end of the meeting, SOM-18 witnessed the handover from the Executive Director, Dr. Mohd. Kushairi Mohd. Rajuddin to the Deputy Executive Director for Program Services, Mr. Christovel R.S. Rotinsulu. Dr. Kushairi and Mr. Gustaaf Adolf Lumiu the Deputy Executive Director for Corporate Services, concluded their service contracts with the Regional Secretariat on November 8, 2023. The meeting expressed deep gratitude for their invaluable contributions and wished them success in their future endeavors.

Mr. Christovel R.S. Rotinsulu is set to serve as the Acting Executive Director until the appointment of the new Executive Director from Papua New Guinea. This seamless transition underscores the continuity and commitment of the Coral Triangle Initiative in its mission to conserve and sustainably manage the marine resources of this ecologically vital region.

All documents related to SOM-18 might be visited in this link: 18th Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM-18) Chairman's Summary and its Annexes and Attachments | CTI-CFF (coraltriangleinitiative.org)