Brunei Darussalam to be the 7th Member of CTI-CFF

Bandar Seri Begawan - On April 30th 2015, the Executive Director of Regional Secretariat CTI-CFF Prof. Widi Pratikto made a courtesy call to Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam. The meeting that took place in Bio Conservation Corridor, Bandar Seri Begawan, marked Brunei Sultanate’s commitment in joining the regional Coral Triangle Initiative collaborative effort. Also discussed at the event, the process of acceptance of Brunei Darussalam as a new member country of CTI-CFF.

At the 5th CTI-CFF Ministerial Meeting in Manado conducted on May 5th 2014, Brunei Darussalam reaffirmed the country’s intention to be the 7th member of CTI-CFF. This decision is in line with Brunei’s mission to contribute in the development of effective management strategies for global communities. Through the membership, Brunei will bear the benefit to scale up research collaboration and to impose further understanding on marine ecosystem issues. Several activities under this collaboration are inclusive of training and exchange of experts, as well as personnel deployment and research to implement activities highlighted in the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action (RPOA).

The minister at the side of the meeting said,” Brunei involvement in the Coral Triangle Initiative is significant because geographically we are filling up the gap at the Coral Triangle map. We are located at the corner, therefore with Brunei in the mapping, the whole enclave is enclosed at the corner of the tringle”. At the same occasion, CTI-CFF Executive Director shared his appreciation to Brunei Darussalam. “It is marvelous to have Brunei with us, knowing that the country is located at the corner of Sulu-Sulawesi region. We highly appreciate Brunei government who has worked hard to fulfill administrative requirements to be the new member of CTI-CFF”, he said.

Brunei government has fulfilled all technical and administrative requirements for membership status. However, as a country that is not included among six initiator countries of CTI-CFF, in term of accession, some ratification should be made at the declaration and agreement. Brunei Darussalam as a new member is expected to adopt CTI Leader's Declaration on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Securities ("Leader's Declaration") and to publish accession instrument of Agreement on the Establishment of Regional Secretariat of CTI-CFF ("Agreement"). Also attending the meeting was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Hajah Normah Suria Hayati binti Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al Sufri, as well as the Deputy of Permanent Secretary (Primary Resources Department), Hajah Hasnah Binti Haji Ibrahim and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Industrial and Entrepreneurship), Haji Khaairudin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, along with the acting Director of Fisheries Management, Abdul Halidi bin Mohammad Saleh and Coordinator of CTI-CFF Dr. Arwandirja Rukma.