ABSTRACT
The Coral Triangle (CT) is widely regarded as being at the global epicentre of marine biodiversity and abundance. To ensure the protection of its values and the sustainable use of its marine resources, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) was established in 2009. The CTI-CFF is a multilateral non-binding partnership agreement between 6 countries (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor L’Este, Solomon Islands). The CT member states are signed up to a range of international and regional conventions and agreements covering conservation, trade, development and marine sovereignty. These agreements espouse a set of values outlined by the Agenda 21 Action Plan for sustainable development, of the United Nations. In support of many key policies of Agenda 21, a Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) for the CTI-CFF sets the core goals, targets and actions for the CT over the next 10 years. The three main goals aspire to the conservation of priority seascapes, the development of networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the protection of threatened species. Two other goals refer to the ecosystem approach to sheries management and adaptation to climate change.
