CTI-CFF MPA Technical Working Group Drives Progress on Marine Protection and Governance

CTI-CFF MPA Technical Working Group Drives Progress on Marine Protection and Governance

Bali, Indonesia, 4 July 2025 – The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) successfully convened the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Technical Working Group (TWG) in-person meeting on 4 July 2025 at the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) in Bali, Indonesia. The meeting brought together representatives from the six Coral Triangle (CT6) member countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste—alongside strategic partners and collaborators including IUCN, CTC, WWF Coral Triangle Programme, United Nations Environment Programme – Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (UNEP-COBSEA), GIZ’s SOMACORE Project, and the Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (SCS-SAP) Project.

The gathering served as a key platform for reviewing progress on the SOM-19 approved workplan on MPA implementation, fostering knowledge exchange, strengthening cross-border collaboration, and aligning strategic priorities to support the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action 2.0 (RPOA 2.0). Delegates reflected on recent achievements and reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting the Coral Triangle—one of the planet’s most biodiverse marine regions.

The meeting commenced with recognition of the recently concluded CT6 Regional Training Workshop on the IUCN Green List on the effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM), held from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Organized by IUCN and CTC through the SOMACORE Project, the workshop provided capacity-building opportunities for CT6 MPA managers and practitioners to align with international conservation standards.

CT6 countries presented national updates on MPA progress, sharing challenges, innovations, and key lessons. The Technical Working Group also welcomed updates from partners on ongoing and upcoming projects supporting MPA management and marine biodiversity protection in the region.

A major milestone celebrated during the meeting was the formal launch of the CTI-CFF MPA Managers Network. Supported by IUCN, WWF-CTP, and CTC, the network is envisioned as a platform for peer-to-peer learning, site-based training, and sharing of best practices—contributing directly to RPOA 2.0 Objective C on strengthening governance and institutional capacity.

The meeting discussed and proposed activities for the MPA TWG Workplan 2026. A follow-up online meeting was scheduled for October 2025 to finalize the plan and provide updates on draft recommendations for the 20th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM-20).

The Regional Secretariat was tasked to circulate key documents and incorporate feedback. The session concluded with recognition of the outstanding contributions of Dr. Firdaus Agung of Indonesia (Chair) and Datuk Dr. Maklarin Lakim of Malaysia (Co-Chair) for their leadership during the 2024–2025 term. Special appreciation was extended to Mr. Ahmad Sofiullah of Indonesia for his effective facilitation of the meeting. In line with the TWG’s rotational leadership, the chairmanship was formally handed over from Indonesia to Malaysia, with Papua New Guinea assuming the role of Co-Chair for the 2026–2027 period, reaffirming shared commitment to collaborative governance under CTI-CFF.

“This meeting provided a valuable space for our CT6 Member Countries, partners, and collaborators to align on progress, share updates, and strengthen our collective efforts. It reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing effective and sustainable MPAs across the Coral Triangle.” — Dr. Frank Griffin, Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat.