Coral Triangle Initiative Set to Have Permanent Secretariat

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs Fisheries and Food Security, formed by six countries to protect one of the most diverse marine area, is set to have a Permanent Regional Secretariat following the conclusion of its 4th CTI Ministerial Meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia on November 26, 2012. At the meeting, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands signed the agreement that gives consensus to the setting up of the permanent secretariat in Manado, Indonesia. Indonesia was the first to sign the agreement in October last year.

Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is current chair of the CTI Council of Ministers signed on behalf of Malaysia while Timor-Leste was represented by its Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Mariano ASSANAMI and the Soloman Islands by its Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Bradley Tovosia. The meeting was attended by ministers and representatives of the six member countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.

The CTI members also inked the Putrajaya Joint Ministerial Statement which outlined the progress and achievements made so far and the way forward for the body. One of the main reasons the CTI was formed is to address urgent threats facing the Coral Triangle, namely the threat of extinction on the coral reefs due to carbon emission.

Dr Ongkili also said Malaysia was keen to promote a Blue Economy or blue carbon approach that uses carbon accounting to quantify ecosystem service value. "The Tun Mustapa Park in Sabah is targeted to be declared a new marine conservation area by 2015. It will serve as a pilot project for our blue carbon approach that integrates environmental conservation and restoration with climate change adaptation and sustainability," he said.

Source: Bernama and the Malaysia and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI)