Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI)
There is broad scientific consensus that the Coral Triangle represents a global epicentre of marine biodiversity.
Spanning just 1.6 per cent of the planet's oceans, within the Coral Triangle region are 76 per cent of all known coral species, 37 per cent of all known coral reef fish species, 53 per cent of the world's coral reefs, the greatest extent of mangrove forests in the world, and spawning and juvenile growth areas for tuna and other globally-significant commercial fish species.1
The countries of the Coral Triangle region recognise that their marine and coastal resources are a cornerstone of their economies and societies, and that these resources are under increasing threat. Increasing pressures include over-fishing, unsustainable fishing practices, land-based sources of marine pollution, coastal habitat conversion and climate change.
About the CTI
Recognising the need to safeguard the region's marine and coastal biological resources, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI) was formed in 2007.
The CTI is a multilateral partnership between the Governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste (CT6).
There is currently an interim Secretariat for the CTI, which is in the process of transitioning to a permanent Regional Secretariat. The interim Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Through the CTI, the Coral Triangle countries have agreed to support people-centred biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, poverty reduction and equitable benefit sharing.
Action plans
The CTI Regional Plan of Action sets goals, targets and actions at the regional level, which either require or would benefit from collaborative action amongst the Coral Triangle countries.
The five goals in the Regional Plan of Action are:
- Priority seascapes designated and effectively managed.
- Ecosystem Approach to Management of Fisheries (EAFM) and other marine resources fully applied.
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established and effectively managed.
- Climate change adaptation measures achieved.
- Threatened species status improving.
At the national level, each Coral Triangle country has developed a National Plan of Action (NPOA), which specifies domestic priorities and actions for the CTI.
For copies of the NPOAs, please email us.
Australian Government's role in the CTI
When the CTI was established, a group of stakeholders - including the Australian Government - were invited to become Partners to the CTI. Partners have been asked to provide funding support, as well as technical and strategic expertise and advice, to assist the pursuit of CTI goals and to facilitate the establishment of the CTI as a fully functioning, effective and representative regional forum.
The other five Partners are: the Asian Development Bank, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the United States Government (USAid), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The Australian Government Support Program for the CTI
The Australian Government has committed to a phased multi-year program of support to the CTI that will evolve and respond as the Initiative grows. The current first stage of support, being implemented from 2010, reflects the still nascent state of the CTI as a regional forum, and of Australia's support program. Support during this first phase is focused on building foundations and momentum for the CTI, and for subsequent phases of Australian Government support.
Support plan and activities
The details of the Australian Government's support for the CTI are outlined in the following documents:
- Australian Government Support Plan for the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs Fisheries and Food Security (PDF - 2839KB) | (Word - 1174KB)
- Australian Government Coral Triangle Initiative Support Activities (PDF - 162KB) | (Word - 373KB)
- Broader Australian Government activities (PDF - 183KB) | (Word - 421KB)
The Support Plan provides information on:
- the Australian Government's objectives for CTI support
- the principles that the Australian Government will apply in providing support
- the specific activities that will be supported during phase 1
- broader Australian Government activities in the Coral Triangle region.
Areas of focus for the current first phase of support include:
- supporting the development of regional governance, institutional and financial arrangements required to establish a permanent CTI Regional Secretariat
- supporting implementation of National Plans of Action in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste
- supporting implementation of key activities from within the CTI Regional Plan of Action
- supporting and promoting effective donor coordination.
Principles for Australian Government CTI support
In planning and providing support, the Australian Government has, and will, apply the following principles:
- Support will target people-centred biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, poverty reduction and equitable benefit sharing.
- Support will match the pace of the CT6 and allow sufficient time and opportunity to ensure meaningful engagement. Support will match standards for engagement in fragile states and recognise capacity constraints.
- Support will recognise the stage of the development of the CTI as a regional forum. Priority will be given to activities that will underpin the long term strength and success of the CTI.
- Support will respect and encourage the role of national governments, and be based on detailed, country-led planning, national government priorities, and consultation with the national governments.
- Support will respect and support the role of the CTI Regional Secretariat, Senior Officials meetings, and Council of Ministers in directing and coordinating achievement of CTI goals.
- Support will build on, leverage and coordinate with other complementary programs and activities of the Australian Government and initiatives in the region, and will capitalise on Australia's areas of expertise and engagement.
- Support will be aligned with relevant Australian aid program Country Strategies and Partnerships for Development, or regional strategies and commitments (such as the Pacific Plan and Cairns Compact). Overseas Development Assistance-funded activities under this Support Plan will be subject to Australian aid program processes and requirements directed at ensuring effectiveness.
- Support will be communicated actively and openly in the interests of improved donor coordination.
The second phase of support, expected to be implemented from 2012, will respond to the evolution of the CTI from a 'start-up' to an 'implementation' phase, and will be characterised by a longer-term approach to programming based around identified priorities. The size and scope of the second phase of support will be subject to funding availability.
Australian Government Newsletter
- Issue 5 - Coral Triangle Initiative Issue 5 (PDF - 4564KB) | (Word - 53KB) - December 2012
- Issue 4 - Coral Triangle Initiative Special Rio+20 Edition (PDF - 1099KB) | (Word - 10MB) - August 2012
- Issue 3 - Coral Triangle Initiative Issue 3 (PDF - 1231KB) | (Word - 971KB) - March 2012
- Issue 2 - Coral Triangle Initiative Issue 2 (PDF - 857KB) | (Word - 1050KB) - December 2011
- Issue 1 - Coral Triangle Initiative Issue 1 (PDF - 895KB) | (Word - 1641KB) - September 2011
Australian stakeholders
A range of Australian stakeholders have an interest, or are involved in, activities which support and compliment the CTI. These include research and educational institutions, universities, non-government organisations, community organisations, state/territory governments and local governments. The experience, knowledge and expertise of these stakeholders are valuable, and the Australian Government will seek to engage with these stakeholders in planning and implementing support for the CTI.
Contact
To contact the department in regards to the CTI, please email: CTIAUSFocalPoint@environment.gov.au
Links
- CTI interim Secretariat
www.coraltriangleinitiative.org/ - The Asian Development Bank
www.adb.org/environment/adb-cti.asp - Conservation International
www.conservation.org/where/oceans/CTI/Pages/overview.aspx - The Nature Conservancy
www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/asiaandthepacific//coraltriangle/index.htm - US Support to the CTI
www.uscti.org - World Wildlife Fund
www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/coraltriangle/coraltriangleprogram.html
1 Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI) Regional Plan of Action (RPOA), 1
