CTI-CFF and USAID Launch Partnership to Protect Marine Biodiversity in the Coral Triangle

The Coral Triangle Initiative for Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially launched a new 5-year partnership, USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle, to support implementation of the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0. 

During a two-day Kick-off Meeting on April 29 and 30 in Manado, Indonesia, Coral Triangle country representatives engaged in discussions on how the initiative will address pressing threats facing the Coral Triangle, including climate change, illegal fishing, and sustainable financing.

USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle focuses on three key objectives:

1. Strengthening governance and policy frameworks to ensure effective implementation of sustainable fisheries and climate adaptation policies across the Coral Triangle
2. Empowering communities and stakeholders by equipping local communities with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard marine resources and become catalysts for coastal and marine conservation
3. Enhancing sustainable financing through investments in sustainable fisheries management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation 

The project’s objectives, co-created by CTI-CFF and USAID, provide a pathway to a future where the management of marine biodiversity and fisheries resources is not just a possibility but a reality. "The Coral Triangle is not only a global biodiversity hotspot but also a critical resource for the livelihoods of millions of people," said Dr. Frank Keith Griffin, Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat. "Through the USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle project, we are committed to safeguarding this invaluable natural heritage and ensuring the resilience of coastal communities in the face of environmental challenges."

The project is funded by USAID through a grant to CTI-CFF, advancing the agency’s commitment to channel a larger portion of development funding directly to local partners. “This new partnership is just one way USAID is demonstrating our commitment to locally-led development,” said Brad Arsenault, Deputy Director of the Environment Office at the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia. “Many of the people in this room are experts on the Coral Triangle, including the threats to its precious biodiversity. It’s this kind of expertise that USAID is committed to supporting.”

The Kick-off Meeting brought together government officials, CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat staff, implementing partners, USAID representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to foster dialogue, collaboration, and collective action towards sustainable marine conservation in the Coral Triangle region.

For more information about the USAID Sustainable Coral Triangle project, please visit www.cticff-sct.org