Philippines Transmit Instrument of Ratification to the Agreement on the Establishment of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat

Jakarta, Indonesia

Philippines became the fifth country, out of 6 member countries, which completed its process of ratification to the Agreement on the Establishment of the Regional Secretariat of the Coral Triangle Initiatives on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF).

In its notification to the Interim Regional Secretariat of CTI-CFF, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia confirmed that the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Jakarta has transmitted the instrument of ratification to the Agreement on 8 January 2015.

The instrument of ratification was sent to Indonesia as the Depository of original Agreement document and ratification instruments. In the ratification instrument document, President Benigno S. Aquino recognized the importance of the Agreement for the legal personality of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat and hereby ratified the Agreement.

Through this submission, the Philippines followed Malaysia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste which have rendered their ratification instruments to the depository earlier. The step made the Philippines gives more weight in the strengthening of the legal, institutional and financial aspects of the Regional Secretariat after the Agreement entered into force as of 27 November 2014 and the appointment of an Executive Director for the Regional Secretariat during 10th Senior Officials Meeting in Dili, Timor-Leste, early November 2014.

Prof. Sjarief Widjaja, Chairman of CTI-CFF IRS said “the deposition of ratification instrument by the Philippines is a memorable new year present for CTI-CFF that keeps  up the spirit for IRS to run the transition process toward the operationalization of strong permanent Regional Secretariat for the benefits of its member countries in the management of sustainable marine resources”.

He then mentioned that the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat building and CTI Center has been built by the government of Indonesia in Manado, North Sulawesi. The building is located in the historical site where the leaders of the six Coral Triangle countries came together for the CTI Summit and World Ocean Conference in 2009. Constructed over 6,084 square meters land, CTI Center will be the heart for coordination, facilitation and collaboration of the 6 (six) member countries, 8 (eight) working groups and 7 (seven) official partners of CTI-CFF under guidance from Council of Ministers and Committee of Senior Officials.