CTI-CFF Strengthens Ties with North Sulawesi Provincial Government
CTI-CFF Strengthens Ties with North Sulawesi Provincial Government
Courtesy Visit Highlights Shared Commitment to Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Tourism
Manado, North Sulawesi, 23 July - The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat conducted a courtesy visit to the North Sulawesi Provincial Government Office to reinforce collaborative efforts in marine conservation, education, and sustainable development.
The CTI-CFF delegation was warmly received by the Governor of North Sulawesi, Major General TNI (Ret.) Yulius Selvanus, SE. The visiting team comprised Dr. Frank Griffin, Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat; Prof. Dr. Ir. Grevo S. Gerung, M.Sc., CTI-CFF University Partnership Coordinator and the Governor’s Special Advisor for Education; Mr. Hanung Cahyono, Deputy Executive Director for Corporate Services; Mr. Corzierrah Posala, Technical Program Manager; and Mr. Fritzgerald William, Marketing & Information Officer.
CTI-CFF Executive Director Dr. Griffin expressed gratitude for the province’s ongoing support and presented an overview of CTI-CFF’s regional initiatives, which include protecting marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable fisheries, and enhancing community livelihoods. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to marine ecotourism, highlighting Bunaken National Park as a prime example of North Sulawesi’s ecological and tourism potential. Dr. Griffin shared that he promoted Bunaken recently at the World Business Forum in Japan and will also be spotlighted at the upcoming Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) in Fiji this August.
Governor Yulius Selvanus reaffirmed his dedication to marine preservation, noting that 73.2% of North Sulawesi's territory is ocean, encompassing over 300 islands. He voiced concerns about mining activities, particularly in Bangka Island and strongly stated his position against granting mining permits in ecologically vulnerable areas. Instead, the Governor advocated for developing sustainable tourism that benefits both the environment and local communities.
Adding to the discussion, Prof. Grevo Gerung shared recent sightings of the Coelacanth, a rare, ancient species from Manado often referred to as a "living fossil", in waters near Bangka Island. This discovery underscores the area’s rich biodiversity and the importance of continued conservation efforts.
Looking ahead, Dr. Griffin proposed hosting a CTI-CFF Sustainable Business Forum (SBF) in collaboration with the North Sulawesi Provincial Government to promote sustainable ocean-based business opportunities. The initiative was positively received, with Mr. Hanung Cahyono reaffirming CTI-CFF’s commitment to partnering with the North Sulawesi government to implement forward-looking, marine-based development programs.
Prof. Grevo also proposed that North Sulawesi take the lead in advancing Indonesia’s engagement in West Pacific conservation networks, further positioning the province as a regional hub for ocean sustainability. He emphasized that the CTI-CFF, with its established presence in Manado and its regional mandate, can serve as a key facilitator and platform for connecting local initiatives with broader multilateral efforts—enabling knowledge exchange, policy support, and strategic collaboration among countries in Southeast Asia and the West Pacific.
Importantly, the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat is headquartered in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, reinforcing the province’s strategic role in regional marine conservation and policy coordination across the Coral Triangle.
As the meeting concluded, Governor Yulius Selvanus offered a resonant message:
"Mari kita jaga laut biru kita" — "Let’s protect our blue ocean."
This courtesy visit marks an important step forward in strengthening intergovernmental and organizational partnerships to conserve one of the world’s most important marine biodiversity hotspots, the Coral Triangle. The active involvement and strong environmental stance of North Sulawesi’s newly appointed Governor, Major General TNI (Ret.) Yulius Selvanus, SE, signal a renewed momentum and leadership in advancing marine conservation and sustainable ocean governance both locally and regionally.
