As a unique multilateral partnership uniting Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) acknowledges that the long-term sustainability of the region depends not only on healthy ecosystems and resilient communities, but also on strong governance, effective leadership, and robust partnerships.

Objective C of the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0 establishes a framework to enhance institutional capacity, strengthen regional cooperation, and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration across the Coral Triangle region. It recognizes that coordinated governance and shared leadership are foundational to achieving conservation, fisheries sustainability, and community resilience.

Why Objective C Is Essential for the Coral Triangle

The Coral Triangle spans a region of immense ecological, social, and economic significance. Managing resources across such a vast and interconnected seascape requires:

  • harmonized policies

  • coordinated regional action

  • strong national institutions

  • effective cross-border collaboration

  • predictable financing mechanisms

  • inclusive and trusted leadership

Challenges such as climate change, declining fish stocks, marine pollution, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing cannot be addressed by individual countries alone. They require regional systems, institutional leadership, and collaborative partnerships—all of which are strengthened through Objective C.

Strategic Focus of Objective C

Objective C is operationalized through two primary targets:

Target C1 — Strengthened Regional and National Governance Mechanisms

This target focuses on establishing clear, accountable, and harmonized governance frameworks that allow Member Parties to implement the RPOA 2.0 effectively.
Core elements include:

1. Enhanced Institutional Capacity

  • Strengthening National Coordinating Committees (NCCs)

  • Improving technical and operational capacity of government agencies

  • Establishing clear mandates, roles, and coordination structures

2. Policy Harmonization

  • Aligning national policies with regional objectives

  • Facilitating cross-sector coordination (environment, fisheries, climate, tourism, development)

  • Supporting the integration of RPOA 2.0 commitments into national plans

3. Effective Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

  • Strengthening the CTI-CFF Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) System

  • Using the CT Atlas as the regional data hub

  • Facilitating transparent reporting across Member Parties

4. Sustainable Finance Mechanisms

  • Resource mobilization

  • Development of long-term and diversified financing strategies

  • Supporting blue economy and nature-based financing opportunities

These governance improvements create a strong institutional backbone for all CTI-CFF programs.

Target C2 — Strengthened Partnerships, Coordination, and Collaborative Leadership

Target C2 recognizes that the CTI-CFF’s mission can only be achieved through cross-boundary collaboration and multi-stakeholder partnership. Key priorities include:

1. Regional and Sub-Regional Cooperation

  • Facilitating technical working groups (TWGs)

  • Supporting ministerial-level leadership through the Council of Ministers (COM)

  • Enhancing coordination through the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO)

2. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

  • Strengthening collaboration with NGOs, universities, donors, regional bodies (ASEAN, SPC, SPREP)

  • Engaging private sector actors in sustainable practices and blue economy initiatives

  • Supporting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in decision-making processes

3. Strategic Communications and Visibility

  • Enhancing regional awareness of CTI-CFF programs

  • Strengthening public communication channels

  • Supporting knowledge exchange across Member Parties

4. Leadership Development

  • Training future leaders in marine governance and climate resilience

  • Empowering women and youth leaders in coastal management

  • Supporting collaborative leadership across all levels of governance

Target C2 helps secure long-term cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

How CTI-CFF Supports Objective C Implementation

As the regional Secretariat, CTI-CFF plays a central role in facilitating governance, leadership, and partnerships across the Coral Triangle.
Key functions include:

1. Facilitating Regional Governance Structures

  • Organizing COM and CSO meetings

  • Coordinating Technical Working Groups

  • Strengthening NCC operations

2. Providing Knowledge Platforms and Technical Guidance

  • CT Atlas (regional data and indicators)

  • RPOA 2.0 Implementation Framework

  • Regional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System

3. Mobilizing Partnerships

CTI-CFF collaborates with:

  • UN agencies

  • ADB, World Bank, GEF, and other development partners

  • NGOs including WWF, TNC, CI, and WCS

  • Regional bodies (ASEAN, SPREP, SPC)

  • Academic and research institutions

  • Local governments and community-based organizations

4. Supporting Finance and Sustainability

  • Facilitating donor coordination

  • Identifying innovative financing opportunities

  • Strengthening blue economy policy integration

Regional Impacts of Objective C

Successful implementation of Objective C results in:

  • improved institutional effectiveness within Member Parties

  • stronger and more coordinated regional governance

  • enhanced transparency and data-based decision-making

  • increased resource mobilization and sustained financing

  • strengthened partnerships and inclusive stakeholder engagement

  • empowered leaders at national, community, and regional levels

  • more effective implementation of Objective A and B

Good governance is the enabling condition that ensures all ecological and socioeconomic goals can be achieved and sustained.

Conclusion

Objective C of the RPOA 2.0 underscores CTI-CFF’s commitment to building strong institutions, effective leadership, and durable partnerships across the Coral Triangle. By enhancing governance structures, improving coordination, and mobilizing multi-sector collaboration, the six Member Parties are laying the foundation for long-term environmental sustainability, socioeconomic resilience, and regional stability.

As one of the world’s most biodiverse and strategically important marine regions, the Coral Triangle requires a governance model that is inclusive, collaborative, and adaptive. Objective C provides this model—ensuring that conservation and sustainable development efforts are supported by strong leadership, good governance, and transformative partnerships.

Through collective action, CTI-CFF continues to champion regional cooperation toward a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future for the Coral Triangle and its people.