The Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF) joined the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Securities (CTI-CFF) and the Blue Institute in the jointly organised High-Level Forum on Blue Natural Capital. The forum was held to coincide with International Coral Triangle Day 2024 celebrations which has the theme “Balancing Marine Conservation and Blue Economy. The CTCF, which is the first ever regional fund to specifically focus on the Coral Triangle was formally introduced during this event in 2023, which gathered delegates from governments, non-profit and the private sector from Coral Triangle countries and beyond.
The Forum hosted various speakers that highlighted the importance of the Coral Triangle not just a bastion of ecological diversity but also a powerhouse for economic growth. The blue economy, which encompasses industries such as fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy, relies heavily on the health and vitality of marine ecosystems. There was recognition that by safeguarding the Coral Triangle, we not only protect this “Nursery of the Seas”, but also lay the foundation for sustainable economic development for generations to come.
The CTCF’s CEO, Dr Yang Mee Eng, spoke in a special session on the 8th of June 2024, highlighting the CTCF’s role in achieving global and regional marine conservation goals. “Despite its immense ecological and economic value, the Coral Triangle remains significantly underfunded and underappreciated on the global stage. More attention and resources are urgently needed to support conservation efforts in the Coral Triangle to ensure the long-term resilience of this critical ecosystem. The CTCF, as the only regional conservation trust fund for the Coral Triangle, will focus on channelling much needed financing to long-term projects with transboundary impact in the Coral Triangle region.” Juxtaposing two jarring images of a dead reef ecosystem and a healthy, vibrant reef, Dr Yang concluded her presentation with a call to action for essential resources and support to conservation initiatives in the Coral Triangle to secure a brighter future for its marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
Concurrently, CTI-CFF further celebrated this special event by also conducting a seminar on women’s role in fisheries as well as organising a symposium which allowed for esteemed academics to come together to exchange knowledge and discuss solutions for the preservation of the Coral Triangle’s marine biodiversity.
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