Strengthening Regional MPA Capacity: Coral Triangle IUCN Green List Workshop Fosters Share Learning and Innovation

Strengthening Regional MPA Capacity: Coral Triangle IUCN Green List Workshop Fosters Shared Learning and Innovation

Bali, Indonesia, 3 July 2025 –

From June 30 to July 3, 2025, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), together with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Coral Triangle Center (CTC), and SOMACORE partners, successfully convened a regional training workshop on the IUCN Green List on the effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Bali, Indonesia.

The four-day event brought together over 50 marine conservation practitioners, including MPA site managers from across the six Coral Triangle member countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. The workshop aimed to enhance understanding and implementation of the IUCN Green List Standard as a globally recognized tool for measuring and improving Marine Protected Area (MPA) performance, governance, and conservation outcomes.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss the alignment of the globally recognized IUCN Green List Standard with the regionally oriented Coral Triangle Marine Protected Areas System (CTMPAS) and the measurement systems used in the CT6 countries.

A Key Step Toward Achieving 30x30 Goals and RPOA 2.0

The workshop is a vital component of the “Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle” (SOMACORE) program, funded by Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented by GIZ and partners. It directly supports CTI-CFF’s Regional Plan of Action 2.0 (RPOA 2.0), particularly Target A1, focused on strengthening resilient and effectively managed marine ecosystems.

Currently, 12 pilot MPAs (two from each CT6 country) are being assessed against the IUCN Green List Standard. This initiative will help set benchmarks, identify management gaps, and align with national and global commitments under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the 30x30 target.

Highlights of the Workshop:

• Peer Learning and Green List Training: Participants explored all four components of the IUCN Green List Standard – Good Governance, Sound Design & Planning, Effective Management, and Conservation Outcomes – through case studies, practical exercises, and knowledge exchange.
• Site-Level Diagnostics: MPA managers, assisted by peers, conducted self-assessments of their sites’ performance and initiated tailored Green List roadmaps toward improved management effectiveness.
• Field Visit to Nusa Penida MPA: Participants engaged in a field trip to one of Indonesia’s pilot sites, experiencing first-hand local best practices in MPA management, including community-based conservation and sustainable tourism.
• PANORAMA Solutions Integration: The workshop introduced the PANORAMA methodology, enabling participants to document and share solution pathways that can be scaled across the Coral Triangle.
• Sustainable Financing: Case studies on innovative financing, including Indonesia’s coral bond and blue carbon initiatives, were explored to support long-term MPA funding strategies.

Outcomes and Forward Momentum

The workshop marks a pivotal step toward improving the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across the Coral Triangle. By equipping MPA managers and national policymakers with the tools and knowledge to apply the IUCN Green List Standard, the CT6 countries are building a foundation for more accountable, inclusive, and results-driven marine conservation.

With 12 pilot MPAs now engaged in a structured pathway toward enhanced management and potential Green List certification, the region is poised to set new benchmarks in MPA performance. These efforts support both national and regional goals under the CTI-CFF RPOA 2.0, while also contributing directly to the global 30x30 target. It also allows for the revision of our CTMPAS to align with this important globally recognised standard. They will ensure that MPAs in the Coral Triangle are not only expanding in number, but also improving in quality, equity, and long-term conservation impact.