12 November 2014: The Agreement on the Establishment of the Regional Secretariat of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) entered into force on 30 November 2014, as agreed by the CTI-CFF’s six member countries at the 10th CTI-CFF Senior Officials meeting. Widi Agoes Pratikto, Indonesia, has been appointed the permanent Regional Secretariat’s Executive Director.

In an acceptance speech, Pratikto recognized the challenges in building a strong, professional Regional Secretariat for the CTI-CFF and said he will work closely with all member countries and partners “to ensure a smooth transition phase from the interim Secretariat to the permanent one.” Pratikto served as Director General of Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and has been involved in the CTI since its establishment.

The CTI-CFF Interim Regional Secretariat’s Chairman, Sjarief Widjaja, said the entry into force was a great step forward for developing a strong permanent regional Secretariat that will be able to provide more benefits towards sustaining the marine resources of its member States.

Malaysia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste have ratified the agreement. Papua New Guinea and the Philippines have signed the agreement. Indonesia hosts the CTI-CFF Secretariat and has built a CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Building and CTI Center in Manadao.

The 10th CTI-CFF Senior Officials meeting took place in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 5-7 November 2014. [CTI-CFF Press Release on Regional Secretariat Establishment] [CTI-CFF Press Release on Executive Director Appointment] [IISD Biodiversity Policy & Practice stories on the CTI-CFF]