Update from the Chair of the CTICOM: Malaysia Ratifies Agreement to Establish Permanent Secretariat
Update From Chair of the CTI-CFF Council Of Ministers Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili, J.P. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia
April 16, 2013
Warmest greetings!
It is a great honour to serve as the Chair of CTI-CFF Council of Ministers (CTI-COM) since 20th November 2011, following the decision made in the 3rd Ministerial Meeting (MM3) in Jakarta. I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt thanks to His Excellencies CT Ministers, Senior Officials, NCC Focal Points, and Representatives, the CTI Interim Regional Secretariat (IRS) and the Development Partners for extending your unwavering support to me as the Chair. Your willingness to go the extra mile together, despite the obstacles we faced, clearly reflects a true partnership amongst CTI members.
2012 In Review
Undeniably, there were significant milestones that we have achieved over the past twelve months. In January 2012, I had the opportunity to meet the IRS in Jakarta and was briefed on the progress toward the establishment of the Permanent Regional Secretariat as well as preparation for implementation of the 2012 Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Roadmap.
The former CTI-COM Chairman, Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, H.E. Sharif Cicip Sutardjo and I also had a great discussion on the way forward for CTI. We exchanged views on the CTI future challenges and also on the transition plan towards the establishment of the Regional Secretariat office in Manado. During the discussion, I had also announced Malaysia’s commitment to sign the establishment document.
I would also like to thank the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for inviting me to deliver the keynote address during the plenary session at the 1st CTI High-Level Financial Roundtable (HLFRT). I am pleased to note that the HLFRT was held on 3rd May 2012 in Manila to discuss sustainable financing strategies to support the future of the CTI-CFF. Member Countries and Development Partners pledged to continue supporting and investing in the CTI-CFF’s regional and national plan of actions.
The establishment of a Business Council proposed by Malaysia which was earlier endorsed in the MM3, will hopefully address the member countries’ need for public-private-partnership in sustainable development of marine resources.
Prior to HLFRT, a meeting to update the progress of the Permanent Regional Secretariat establishment was held with the IRS. Following that, a courtesy visit by H.E. Mr. Ramon Jesus P. Paje, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines gave us the opportunity to discuss further collaboration for joint conservation of migratory species in the area of CTI especially at the Turtle Islands.
9th June 2012 sparked a new begining as the Coral Triangle Day was simultaneously celebrated across our region for the first time. It was pleasing to note that the launch successfully generated greater interest, participation and public awareness on coastal and marine issues. I look forward to seeing that the CT Day will continue being celebrated as a tribute to our shared responsibilities in managing our ocean.
I would like to applaud the Government of Indonesia for hosting a high-level CTI event, together with the Development Partners, at Rio+20 in Brazil on 21st June 2012. The side event successfully showcased the achievements of CT countries and promoted CTI’s role as a platform for sustainable development through approaches like the Blue Economy.
In September 2012, I had the pleasure to host the first-ever dialogue session with the IRS and Development Partners (the Australian Government, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), ADB and WWF Malaysia) in conjunction with the launch of the Tun Mustapha Marine Park Scientific Expedition in Kudat, Malaysia.
The dialogue aimed to seek continuous support in ensuring the implementation of the CTI-CFF Regional and National Plans of Action. The dialogue also further discussed the progress on the establishment of the Permanent Regional Secretariat.
The third quarter of 2012 also saw Indonesia’s President H.E Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono honoured with the first-ever “Valuing Nature Award” by three leading global environmental and conservation organisations (the Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute and WWF) specifically for his leadership in establishing the CTI.
On behalf of the CTI-CFF, I wish to warmly congratulate His Excellency for the award which marked global recognition to his effort in bringing our countries together to address the issues facing our region. The 8th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM8) and 4th Ministerial Meeting (MM4) held in Putrajaya last November has brought tremendous progress in our regional collaboration commitment through acknowledgement, endorsement and approval of various decisions.
The most important outcome from the meeting was the signing of the Agreement on the CTI-CFF Permanent Regional Secretariat Establishment by three CT Countries. Indonesia has signed earlier, bringing a majority number 4 out of 6 CT Countries, enabling an order for the establishment agreement to ‘Enter into Force’. The commitment shown by member countries, Indonesia, Solomon Island and Timor-Leste through the signing of the Agreement was exemplary.
The MM4 also saw another significant achievement through the signing of the Putrajaya Joint Ministerial Statement (JMS). It is important for us to take note of point 4 of the Putrajaya JMS, which is: Reaffirm our commitment to expedite national processes for the signing and ratification of the Agreement on the Establishment of the Permanent Regional Secretariat of the CTI-CFF.
In this regard, I am pleased to announce that Malaysia has ratified and deposited the instrument of ratification to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. As Chair of the CTI-COM, I strongly urge member countries to take necessary steps to accelerate the signing and ratification of the Agreement on the Establishment of the CTI-CFF Permanent Regional Secretariat. I sincerely hope we can finalise the ratification process by mid-2013. The future of our ocean depends on our capacity to make progress in goals that we have identified and agreed upon together.
Our Way Forward
We have much to look forward to this year. The most significant event will be the inauguration of the CTI-CFF Center in Manado. Following that, we will be having the 3rd CTI Regional Business Forum together with the 1st Coral Triangle Business Council Meeting. I am pleased to know that the Business Council that I have envisaged is finally going to take place in 2013 in Bali, Indonesia.
Malaysia is going to celebrate the Coral Triangle Day this year in conjunction with the World Oceans Week. The week long celebration will include CTI Awareness Programs, CTI Oceans Conference, exhibitions, seminars and joint programs with local NGOs, industries and universities.
I am optimistic that the Coral Triangle Day will also be more widely celebrated across the CT6 region. Subsequent to the successful convening of MM4, we can also look forward to the CTI Leaders Summit which hopefully will be conducted during the APEC CEO Summit in October 2013.
I am delighted to know that the IRS has made appropriate arrangements for the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat to receive financial contributions by registering an official account. I am certain, IRS will continue to facilitate commitments and efforts of CT6 Countries to achieve other important milestones in preparation for transitioning to the Regional Secretariat.
I have faith that the CTI-CFF Roadmap and Calendar of Activities for 2013 will be implemented in a timely manner as agreed in the Putrajaya JMS. I also believe that all CTI-CFF Working Groups will continue to contribute to our work and activities. The challenges that we face are not insurmountable if we continue to work together towards our common goal. I believe that this is a commitment that we all share.
Looking back, we have indeed achieved a lot for the coordination mechanism to implement RPOA. Most significant progress was the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the CTI-CFF Permanent Regional Secretariat. From just one country, in just one year, 3 other countries had also signed the agreement.
I’m positive that all of us are going to improve, grow and work together continuously. This success is not a destination as yet but a journey. I hope we will make the journey together, with all the enthusiasm, commitment, and vision that has brought us together this far. Whatever the future brings, I hope we will be able to go on sharing successes for years and years to come. It is a common goal well worth pursuing, and we look forward to working with all of you to achieve it.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, for giving his precious guidance and support that enabled me to carry out the mandate to represent Malaysia in the CTI. I am truly honoured for the privilege to be taking this leadership.
My grateful thanks are also extended to His Excellencies CT Ministers, Senior Officials, NCC Focal Points and Representatives for their continuous effort, commitment and support given to me. I am confident we will continue to aggressively and efficiently pursue ways to achieve our goals though we may have some differing agreements or views on how to reach them. Let us just acknowledge that we are all in favour of these mutual goals. I would also like to convey my profound thanks to the IRS for their unstinting effort in coordinating and monitoring the progress towards achieving our goals. I am sure with the extension of its mandate, IRS will con¬tinue their commendable work.
My heartiest gratitude goes to the Development Partners; the Australian Government, USAID, ADB, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Conservation International (CI), the Nature Conservancy and WWF, for their invaluable, on-going support and of course, for believing in us. We truly welcome further cooperation to enable us to continue the good work we are doing.
Let us continue to value our efforts. Let us move forward, step by step, and contribute to safeguard the region’s marine and coastal resources. This is a task entrusted to us and a challenge that we welcome. I am convinced we can overcome any challenges - together as one.
I look forward to another productive year ahead. I hope that we will continue to stand together as we strive to achieve new heights in the year of 2013.
Thank you.
Photo Caption: CTI-CFF Council Of Ministers Chair Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili at the 4th CTI Ministerial Meeting in Putrajaya in November 2012
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