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the Kick-off Meeting for USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle project

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29 April 2024 - 30 April 2024

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Message from the Executive Director

 

Message from Dr. Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin

Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat

(delivered during the 15th Senior Officials Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands on 8th November 2019) 

 

Historically, from ideas and many discussions which follow, the setting up of CTI-CFF as an organization including the construction of its building in Manado and the implementation of its activities, CTI-CFF had developed beyond expectations. Indonesia government and the former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must be praised and commended on their efforts. CTI-CFF did and does not only serve the people of Indonesia but the people of its five neighbouring countries. That was how it begins. And that was what put us today, together in this meeting room. 

At this point of time, we must step further to safeguard CTI-CFF, its origin, its purpose, and to develop it with our utmost abilities, hand in hand within the governments and of course with the development partners and industrial sectors. When we look at the coral distributions and other fauna – sedimentary, migratory and visitors, it is time to broaden our scope of activities beyond CTI-CFF scientific boundary area. When you add up MPAs, nano-plastics, seascape coverage, tourism, fisheries as well as food security, you will see that the area of concern of Coral Triangle goes beyond CTI-CFF implementation area. Therefore, we should start broadening our initiatives to include all states within and beyond these two areas. 

Development partners’ interest must not be seeing to play the roles solely as donors, but respectfully as trainers, giving guidance and working collaboratively hand in hand with CTI-CFF organization. With these new drives, development partners will be able to increase their recognition and to explore wider perspectives regarding their contributions, ideas and commitments to Coral Triangle member countries. Therefore, it is most appropriate and timely perhaps, to change the term ‘development partners’ to ‘strategic partners’ of CTI-CFF. This kind of relationship will further help strategic partners, CTI and its member countries to move on to the next level. 

The number of member countries need to be expanded in line with the expansion of human- environment linkages which go beyond CTI boundaries. By adding the number of countries, not only can we increase the protection identified for marine areas but in the long run, will be of help on the amount of monetary contributions from the present governments of the six countries. More importantly, the increase in the number of member countries increases the sharing of responsibilities, in terms expertise, technical support, sustainability, sustaining business opportunities as well as opening more linkages with more strategic partners. 

At present, the Coral Triangle supports USD 2.3 billion and contributes USD 15.4 million on the environment and economic returns. The contributions of each member country are needed and important to support CTI-CFF assistance, but to depend too much on member country’s contribution is not a good thing. And it is about time for CTI-CFF to look for ways to reduce but sufficiently to maintain a limited contribution from its present member countries. One of the ways is to get the involvement of the industrial players in each member countries through their CSR, that is the corporate social responsibility – to share the role in sustaining the global importance of Coral Triangle. Recognizing the importance of ecological sustainability and involvement in maintaining it together, a win-win situation will trigger, not only benefited the close relationship of the governments and the industrial players but also the industries and the communities of the Coral Triangle at large. The population that live upon the coral reefs is now estimated to be 130 million and rising, and their livelihood must be of primary concern to CTI-CFF, and of course, without sacrificing the environment for our future generation.

Dear Mr. Chairman, Distinguish Senior Officers, Senior Members, NCC and Strategic Partners. I am senior in terms of age in CTI-CFF, and my deputy Mr. Gustaaf, is slightly more in terms of age than me. But in terms of seniority as member staff of CTI-CFF, we are both young. Young people are vibrant and energetic. Please pray for our good health and for our will, to be able to give our best to CTI-CFF organization and to the people of the coastal area of Coral Triangle. 

 

Thank you.