Source: The Australian
June 22, 2012

Australia has announced that it will release an additional AUD 8 million funding over four years to support the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF).  Prime Minister Julia Gillard made the announcement during a breakfast function, hosted by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil on June 20.

"We have a large stake in the blue economy," Ms Gillard said noting that there are more than 1.5 billion people in developing countries in the region rely on the ocean for food and jobs. Apart from the CTI-CFF, Australia will also support Pacific Island countries address illegal fishing and ecosystem destruction.
In 2009, the Australian Government committed to a phased multi-year program of support to the CTI that will evolve and respond as the Initiative grows. The first stage of support, being implemented from 2010-2012, is focused on building foundations and momentum for the CTI-CFF. The second phase, expected to be implemented from 2012, will respond to the evolution of the CTI-CFF from a 'start-up' to an 'implementation' phase, and will be characterized by a longer-term approach to programming based around identified priorities. 

Follow the link to the news report here.

Photo Caption: Prime Minister Julia Gillard  (second from right) and President Yudhoyono (second from left) pose with other leaders following the breakfast meeting. Photo: N.Peimbert/TNC.