CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat's working visit to Australia to foster collaboration in the region

Mr. Widi A Pratikto introducing CTI-CFF to Senior Officers of James Cook University

The Executive Director of Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security, Widi A. Pratikto Ph.D., together with Dr. Muhammad Lukman, Senior Manager of Technical Programs of CTI-CFF, paid a courtesy visit to the Australian Government in Canberra; James Cook University (JCU) and Townsville-based institutions to seek potential cooperation for CTI-CFF, between 6-11 November 2017.

The first visit included meetings with Professor Chris Cocklin, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of JCU, Townsville, Australia, from 6-8 November 2017. The discussions focused on potential collaborations and support to CTI-CFF, as well as CTI-CFF University Partnership for a joint proposal between JCU and University of Queensland.

“JCU was very pleased to have signed the MoU with the CTI-CFF as a basis underpinning our collaboration on this most important international initiative supporting the sustainable management of coral reefs throughout the Coral Triangle region and look forward to our fullest participation in further supporting capability development amongst the Coral Triangle nations,” said Prof. Chris Cocklin.

Apart from meetings with Prof. Cocklin and JCU Board executive, CTI-CFF visited the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS) to meet Dr. Paul Hardisty, CEO; WorldFish colleagues including Dr. David Mills and Dr. Philippa Cohen; the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies with Prof. Dr. Alana Grech, Dr. Rebecca Weeks, Dr. Georgina Gurney, and Mrs. Jennifer Lappin; and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) with Mr. Ben Palmer. Meetings focused on information exchange and potential cooperation.

The visit continued to Canberra from 8-11 November 2017 for discussions with Dr. Andrew Edge, Director of Environment Unit at DFAT, Ms. Heidi (Assistant Director), Ms. Nicole Coombe at DoEE, and Ms. Kate Duggan at Griffin NMR. Meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation and future support between CTI-CFF and the Australian Government, especially on emerging issues such as marine debris.

CTI-CFF Executive Director, Widi A. Pratikto meets Dr. Andrew Edge, Director of Environment Unit at DFAT office in Canberra, Australia

“I had the pleasure to have had productive discussions on the way forward for continued support from the Australian Government for CTI-CFF – a country that has been instrumental towards its support in the early days of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat establishment to ensure that it was able to perform its function. The discussion also focused on critical issues such as the preparation for the review of the Regional Plan of Action and the upcoming 13th Senior Officials’ Meeting from 27-30 November 2017 in Manila, Philippines.”

CTI-CFF Executive Director, Widi A. Pratikto meets H.E. Kristiarto S. Legowo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia

Finally, the Executive Director met with His Excellency Y. Kristiarto S. Legowo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia, and the Indonesian Student Association in Australia to discuss the future of CTI-CFF and implementation challenges in the region.

Written by Kirana Agustina