Malaysia and Indonesia Pave the Way for the Establishment of Permanent CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat

On January 20, 2012, Malaysia’s Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Maximus Ongkili made his first official visit to Coral Triangle Initiative Interim Regional Secretariat in Jakarta as newly elected Chairman of the Coral Triangle Initiative Council of Ministers (CTICOM).  He was received by Dr. Sudirman Saad, Chairman of Interim Regional Secretariat, Dr. Suseno Sukoyono, Executive Chair of Interim Regional Secretariat, and Dr. Gellwynn Jusuf, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

In the meeting, Dr. Ongkili was briefed on the progress toward the establishment of permanent Secretariat, as well as preparation for implementation actions featured in the 2012 CTI-CFF Roadmap.  During the discussion, Dr. Ongkili announced Malaysia’s commitment to sign the establishment document within six weeks and called on the Interim Secretariat to provide a status report from the other member countries which will pave for the establishment of the permanent CTI-CFF Secretariat by the April 2012 deadline agreed upon by all Coral Triangle member countries at the 3^rd CTI-CFF Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta last October 2011. 

The meeting also discussed the important roles and functions of the Secretariat to coordinate overall CTI-CFF activities and to ensure clear identification of those activities.  Dr. Saad said that it is critical for the Interim Secretariat to be able to establish an effective communication and coordination mechanism between all stakeholders working within CTI-CFF banner to ensure a smooth transition to the permanent Secretariat which  in time for the completion of the Regional Secretariat Office in Manado.

Dr. Ongkili noted that the CTI-CFF Secretariat, Coral Triangle countries and partners should work hard to accomplish CTI-CFF goals in the upcoming months in time for the proposed 2^nd CTI-CFF Leaders Summit which will be held in conjunction with the APEC Summit in 2013 that will be held in Indonesia.

Dr. Ongkili also had a breakfast meeting with his predecessor as CTICOM chairman, Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia, Sharif Cicip Sutarjo. Both Ministers agreed to have closer collaboration in supporting the CTI-CFF and to conduct joint researches in marine and fisheries field.