CTI-CFF conveys support for collaboration with IOC WESTPAC in UN Decade of Ocean Science

Date:

04 April 2019

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Manila, Philippines, 4 April 2019 – The CTI-CFF conveyed its commitment of support to collaborate with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of Western Pacific (WESTPAC) towards the realization of the UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030) during the 12^th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-commission for the (WESTPAC) held in Manila, Philippines last 2-5 April 2019.

“The UN Decade of Ocean Science aligns with the past, current and surely the future activities of the CTI-CFF member countries which endeavor to work together to reverse the cycle of decline of the ocean as well as marine and coastal health and resources. Particularly, to protect, sustain and improve the condition of the coastal and marine resources in the Coral Triangle by addressing crucial issues such as food security, climate change and marine biodiversity,” said Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry, CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Interim Executive Director.

The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) supports efforts that would protect ocean’s health and gathers ocean stakeholders globally behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean.

In the First World Ocean Assessment released in 2016, it revealed that much of the oceans is gravely degraded, with changes and losses in the structure, function and benefits from marine systems. Further, ocean’s condition is expected to worsen as the human population grows towards the expected 9 billion by 2050.

“CTI-CFF’s Technical Working Groups and Scientific Advisory Group could collaborate with IOC WESTPAC towards generating scientific inputs on emerging and crucial issues on oceans as well as disseminate and promote it to broader scientific communities,” Dr. Siry said. He added that CTI-CFF University Partners can collaborate with IOC WESTPAC working groups in promoting ocean science through educational and professional capacity building, research and outreach. He also noted that the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat headquarters in Manado, North Sulawesi Indonesia could be a possible venue for summer camp or training activities of the IOCWESTPAC working group.

Dr. Vo Si Tuan, Chairperson of IOC WESTPAC Advisory Group and Dr. Wenxi Zhu, Head of IOC WESTPAC both appreciated the participation of CTI-CFF in the Session and expressed substantive possible collaboration on marine technology applications, marine coral reef protection and coral reef ecosystems in the future.

On the other hand, Mr. Jerker Tamalander of UN Environment Programme, calls for IOC WESTPAC to look into the Report on Return of Investments to CTI-CFF which uses scientific data to analyze reef degradation and restoration project. He said the information could be useful for IOC WESTPAC particularly as reference for potential collaboration with CTI-CFF In the future. (Janet Rosalie Anne H. Polita)

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About CTI-CFF

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI -CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste (CT6). The CT6 countries work together to sustain extraordinary marine and coastal resources by addressing crucial issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity. The CTI-CFF was established formally during the Leaders’Summit in 2009 with approval of the leaders from the CT6 countries. They adopted the CTI Regional Plan of Action (CTI RPOA) which is a strategicaction plan with five goals: (1) designation of effectively managed seascapes; (2) application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management; (3) establishment of a fully functional marine protected area system; (4) strengthening climate change adaptation and resilience; and (5) improving the status of threatened marine species.

About Regional Secretariat

The Regional Secretariat (RS) of the CTI-CFF is mandated to promote regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and learning facilities within the six membercountries of the Coral Triangle. The RS coordinates and monitors the progress of the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) goals. The RS coordinates and supports official meetings and events linked to the CTI-CFF process, including cross-cutting services in support of monitoring and evaluation, financial coordination, information management and outreach. It also coordinates the implementation of CTI-CFF RPOA and provides support to, and coordination with, NCCs, including advising the CTI-CSO on emerging opportunities and priorities to reaching the goals and targets of the RPOA. The RS also acts as the channel of communication and information sharing and foster networking among the Parties, CTI Partners and other organizations and donors in the efforts to promote the objectives of the CTI-CFF. The Regional Secretariat is based in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.