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  • 04 Jun 2020

2 – 4 June 2020 – The CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat (RS) is taking steps toward adopting various methods to reduce dependence on country contributions as the main source of funding for RS activities supporting the CT6 countries. This includes adopting the practice of sustainable financing through the development of a Conservation Trust Fund.

Most members of the CT6 countries’ National Coordinating Committees (NCCs) are not well-versed in the concept of a trust fund—its setup, administration, and management aspects. In view of this, RS, through several meetings with Dr. David Meyers and Dr. Martin Callow, successfully organized and led a three-day webinar on Conservation Financing in the Coral Triangle, with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA). The webinar was attended by representatives of the CT6 Member Countries.

Dr. David Meyers, Executive Director of the Conservation Finance Alliance, served as the lead presenter, discussing conservation financing, its elements, examples, and challenges. Mr. Yabanex Batista, CEO of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, and Mr. Willy Kostka, Director of the Micronesia Conservation Trust, were also invited to share their expertise and insights on the trust funds they currently manage, including the projects and initiatives involved.

Dr. Martin Callow, WCS Regional Director for the Southeast Asian Archipelago, stated that the webinar aimed to help identify challenges and show the support needed in designing financial mechanisms to bring people and organizations together to deliver on-ground conservation that RS intends to advance in the coming years.

“It is hoped that this webinar will be an opportunity for CTI-CFF Member Countries to dive deeper into understanding the available financing mechanisms. It will further enable them to recognize the steps RS is taking in developing sustainable financing, and inspire the progress of CTI-CFF in establishing the trust fund and achieving other related objectives within the current Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) and RPOA 2.0,” said Dr. Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin, Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat.

The webinar also formed part of WCS projects on Marine Biodiversity and Support of Coastal Fisheries in the Coral Triangle, supported by KfW and the European Union.

It is unfortunate, however, that not many CTI-CFF members attended the webinar, likely due to current challenges faced by some countries. RS urges the NCC representatives who attended to share and explain the presentations and documents with members who could not participate. Understanding sustainable financing mechanisms and trust fund implementation steps is vital. RS will continue discussions with WCS, CFA, as well as the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and Micronesia Conservation Trust, to help develop a Conservation Trust Fund for CTI-CFF, benefitting CT6 countries in achieving sustainable financing.

Participants

Indonesia

Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry

Participants

Malaysia

  • Ms. Malisa Mat Noor
  • Mr. Husni Alhan Bin Md Salimun (June 2 only)

Papua New Guinea

  • Mr. Timothy Mais
  • Mr. Vagi Rei
  • Mr. James Sabi
  • Mr. Benside Thomas
  • Ms. Yvonne Tio
  • Mr. David Kau
  • Mr. Bernard Suruman
  • Ms. Lisa Bun
  • Ms. Phelameya Haiveta
  • Mr. Elliot Tovaboda (June 2 and 3)

Philippines

  • Ms. Izel Ibardaloza (June 3 and 4 only)

Solomon Islands

  • Ms. Agnetha Vave-Karamui
  • Ms. Tsatsa Seimarlie
  • Ms. Gladys Luahiti (June 3 only)
  • Ms. Duta Kauhiona (June 2 only)

Regional Secretariat

  • Dr. Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin
  • Dr. Sharifah Nora Ibrahim
  • Mr. Gustaaf Lumiu (June 4 only)
  • Dr. Gregory Bennett
  • Ms. Janet Rosalie Anne Polita
  • Mr. Ayodya Satryo Anngorojato
  • Ms. Inri Tamarindang