USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle Project Kicks Off

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat proudly announced a new project in partnership with USAID, sparking optimism for the future of marine conservation in the Coral Triangle region. USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle (SCT) launched with a two-day kick-off meeting as a significant step forward in preserving the region's marine biodiversity and fisheries resources. 

Around 40 participants attended, representing the Coral Triangle member Countries, the Environment Office of USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA), the USAID Sustainable Fish Asia Technical Support (SuFiA TS) team, the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF), the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat including the USAID SCT Project Management team and CTI strategic partners & collaborators such as the University Partnership Coordinator Prof. Grevo Gerung and SEAFDEC. The event was held in-person in the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat office in Manado, 29-30 April 2024. 

The meeting served as a platform to introduce USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle to CTI member countries and stakeholders. It outlined the objectives, activities, and expected outcomes, fostering constructive dialogue and engagement. 

The agenda featured insightful presentations from Mr. Md. Anjum Islam, Project Manager USAID SCT, with opening remarks from notable figures such as H.E. Dr. Frank Keith Griffin, the Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and Brad Arsenault, Deputy Director of the Environment Office at USAID/ RDMA, and moderated by Mr. Christovel RS. Rotinsulu, Deputy Executive Director for Program Services of CTI-CFF. 

Additionally, representatives from various organizations contributed to the discussions, enriching the dialogue on topics ranging from governance and policy frameworks to capacity building initiatives and partnerships with private investors. Discussions on key topics such as blue financing, institutional capacity building, and multi-stakeholder partnerships underscored the collective efforts required to address challenges in marine conservation and climate adaptation. 

As part of the Regional Secretariat’s contribution to the project, Ms. Dewi Satriani, Communication and Information Manager, Mr Corzzierrah Posala, Technical Program Manager and Mr. Agostinho Andy Irmawan, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, provided some insights into how the Regional Secretariat will assist in the implementation of the project. These included templates for reporting and communication tools in getting the messages across to the targeted audiences.

Ms. Payton Deeks from USAID/RDMA expressed optimism about the project's success. She also thanked all the participants for their valuable time and contributions.

Despite facing an unexpected challenge on its second day with Mount Ruang's eruption, disrupting travel plans, the meeting persevered, showcasing resilience and commitment to marine resource management in the Coral Triangle region. Looking ahead, USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle stands poised to make a tangible impact, guided by a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. With continued collaboration, it holds the promise of safeguarding the invaluable natural heritage of the Coral Triangle for generations to come.