CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat's New Year 2014 Message

Distinguished Friends and Colleagues,

As 2013 draws to a close, I sit here in my office and look at the view out of my window to take a minute to salute you, members and partners of Coral Triangle Initiative for Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI CFF), who stay committed to the mission of CTI CFF and for the trust you have placed in CTI CFF Interim Regional Secretariat (IRS) to provide service and coordination for the implementation of our activities at regional level.

Despite the challenges we encounter over the course of the year, we have recorded a considerable amount of positive results which convinced me that 2013 is another great and remarkable year for all of us in many ways.

First quarter of the year was marked by near completion of new CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Building and CTI Centre located in Manado covering 6,084 square meters. We were also able to develop a concrete roadmap and resolution to address the negative impacts of live reef fish trade in the CT region.

In the 3rd CT Regional Business Forum, we have initiated some efforts to engage the private sector in creating innovative business solutions that are both economically profitable and environmentally sustainable. In the following months, we were informed with great news about Malaysian Government’s ratification to the Agreement of the Establishment the CTI Regional Secretariat. Agreement was made among CT-6 Countries on CTI-CFF governance structures and financial resources as well as a series of actions that will facilitate the implementation of the roadmap to usher the transition to a permanent CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat.

We have finalized a very useful framework for the Coral Triangle Marine Protected Areas System (CTMPAS), setting the stage for nominations for regional flagship sites. A regional process for monitoring and evaluating the CTI CFF's actions and priorities progress towards achieving the goals under Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) has been produced including guidelines for data collection, processing, analysis and reporting.

Our Seascape Working Group has produced a roadmap of activities and review existing seascape and other large scale marine planning work underway in the Coral Triangle to ensure that priority seascapes are designated and effectively managed.

Our regional reputation has been promoted when the six member countries of the Southwest Pacific Dialogue (SwPD) in the middle of 2013 endorsed the critical role of CTI CFF in sustaining the region's significant marine resources and ensuring the economic and well-being of its people.

Our profile has been gauged when on June 9, 2013, more than 30,000 people joined 62 events close to a hundred locations in all CT-6 Countries, participated to mark Coral Triangle Day and to raise public awareness on marine resource conservation and fisheries issues bringing together individuals, organizations, and establishments in a variety of activities including beach clean-ups, artistic performances, educational exhibitions, turtle tagging activities and many others.

We successfully conducted an important the 2nd CTI-CFF Regional Priorities Workshop (RPW-2) on August to report and review progress toward completion of 2010 identified Regional Priorities Actions and National Plan of Action implementation and to develop the scope, implementation plan and teams for executing the proposed 2013 Regional Priority Actions and Activities.

Our Senior Officials met on November the 9th CTI-CF Senior Officials Meeting (SOM-9) and agreed on many critical issues such as the establishment of an Appointments Committee for the hiring of the Executive Director of permanent Regional Secretariat, expansion of CTI CFF membership and partnership and collaborative arrangements in regard to Brunei-Darussalam’s expression of interest to join the CTI-CFF, the Coral Triangle Center’s application to be recognized as an official CTI Partner, and proposed cooperation arrangements between the CTI-CFF and the South East Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

These achievements are encouraging us to look ahead now at many plans, targets and opportunities in 2014 and beyond. Our “to-do-list” is still far from being exhausted but I have no doubt that your cooperation will enable us to accomplish those future activities and events. During memorable SOM-9 in Manila, We made a promise among ourselves to recruit a Regional Secretariat Director, finalization of ratification to Regional Secretariat establishment agreement, and launch the operationalization of permanent Regional Secretariat, all by May 2014, through decision of Special SOM and 5th CTI-CFF Ministerial Meeting. We have agreed that 2014 will be a preparatory year for the establishment of an independent Threatened Species Working Group. It is also our target that Financial Architecture, formation of Regional Business Advisory Council, admission of new members and partners, and formalization of cooperation with other organizations shall be attained in 2014. Rest assured that CTI-CFF, under my leadership is highly committed to facilitate the accomplishments of these targets.

I am very confident and optimistic about the future. Thank you again for your trust and I look forward to even greater success for you in 2014. As we finish another year of many achievements, challenges and lessons, I wish you all a truly peaceful and safe festive season. May 2014 herald more wonderful opportunities for all of us!

Dr. SUDIRMAN SAAD
Chairman, Interim CTI CFF Regional Secretariat/
Director General of Marine, Coastal and Small Island Affairs
Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia