CTI-CFF 19th Senior Officials’ Meeting and 9th Ministerial Meeting to Convene in Dili, Timor-Leste

CTI-CFF 19th Senior Officials’ Meeting and 9th Ministerial Meeting   to Convene in Dili, Timor-Leste

Dili, Timor-Leste – 2-6 December 2024

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) will hold its 19th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM-19) and 9th Ministerial Meeting (MM-9) in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 2-6 December 2024. Hosted by Timor-Leste as Chair of the CTI-CFF for the 2023-2024 period, the event represents a critical opportunity to advance regional cooperation in marine conservation and sustainable resource management.

The event will commence with the Pre-Senior Officials’ Meeting (Pre-SOM) on 2-3 December 2024, followed by the Annual SOM on 4-5 December. Culminating the series will be the bi-annual Ministerial Meeting on 6 December, where high-level representatives from the six member countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste—will convene to approve key decisions for the region's marine resources.

"This year’s Senior Officials’ Meeting and Ministerial Meeting represent a significant milestone in our collective efforts to safeguard the Coral Triangle's marine resources," said Dr. Frank Keith Griffin, Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat. 

"In collaboration with the National Coordinating Committee of Timor-Leste, we aim to deliver a Joint Ministerial Statement that addresses the pressing challenges facing the Coral Triangle precious resources, from illegal fishing to climate impacts and pollution. Together with our member countries and strategic partners, we will chart actionable, collaborative solutions to ensure the resilience of our ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions who depend on them."

In addition to country delegations, the meeting will be attended by strategic partners, including representatives from USAID, GIZ, IUCN, Coral Triangle Center (CTC), WWF Coral Triangle Program (WWF CTP), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA), and Blue Institute. Their participation underscores the importance of partnerships in advancing CTI-CFF’s objectives, fostering knowledge exchange, and aligning efforts toward sustainable marine resource management.

The meetings will review progress and achievements in marine conservation efforts, both at the national and regional levels, including the protection of ecologically significant marine areas, initiatives contributing to the global 30x30 conservation target, protection of endangered marine species, combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, adapting to climate change, and addressing ocean pollution, particularly plastic waste.

Additionally, the discussions will emphasize the importance of mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) into marine conservation strategies while ensuring the livelihoods of millions of people living within the Coral Triangle area are preserved. Senior officials will also finalize the CTI-CFF 2025 workplan and budget, setting a roadmap for sustained action toward achieving targets of the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0.

As one of the world’s most biologically diverse and resource-rich marine regions, the Coral Triangle plays a pivotal role in global food security. Its ecosystems support the livelihoods and well-being of more than 120 million people and supply fisheries that are critical for the global economy.

The CTI-CFF Secretariat invites media and stakeholders to support this significant event and its mission to protect and sustainably manage the Coral Triangle. By strengthening regional collaboration and championing conservation efforts, the initiative contributes to the long-term resilience of ocean ecosystems and the food security of millions worldwide.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat
Email: dewi.satriani@cticff.org - +62 811910970
Website: www.coraltriangleinitiative.org