CTC is honored to have joined the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Korea on the 28th–30th of April 2025. This global gathering brought together world leaders, policymakers, scientists, and civil society organizations to advance ocean protection through concrete commitments and strategic collaborations. With the theme “Our Ocean, Our Action,” the conference underscored the urgency of safeguarding marine ecosystems amidst increasing threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution. During the plenary session on Marine Protected Areas, CTC’s Executive Director, Rili Djohani, presented three significant commitments that reaffirm CTC’s leadership in strengthening marine resilience in the Coral Triangle region.

CTC’s first commitment, delivered under the Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle (SOMACORE) programme, focuses on bridging capacity gaps across the region. This joint project, implemented in collaboration with GIZ and other consortium partners, aims to improve marine management in the Sula-Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda, and Bismarck Solomon Seascapes through targeted capacity building and regional collaboration. The initiative aligns with the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0 and includes the development of a regional Capacity Building Roadmap. This roadmap identifies four pillars—tools and packages, systems for leadership, delivery on-the-ground, and peer learning mobilization—that support the empowerment of coastal communities, government personnel, and women’s groups. The impact of this work will be seen in improved governance, effective MPA management, and transboundary conservation efforts, contributing directly to the RPOA 2.0’s objectives on biodiversity and community resilience.

The second commitment focuses on strengthening Marine Protected Area (MPA) development and management in Timor-Leste. With only 3% of its marine waters currently protected, Timor-Leste must significantly scale up efforts to meet its national and global biodiversity targets, particularly the “30×30” goal. CTC is supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in developing a national policy framework and a management effectiveness tracking tool for MPAs, alongside a capacity-building roadmap tailored to the country’s needs. By 2025, this commitment aims to establish a policy and training foundation that supports the effective management of existing MPAs such as Atauro Island and Samba Sembilan Liquica, while paving the way for the formal designation and strengthening of additional MPAs. These efforts are designed to enhance marine biodiversity, food security, and sustainable livelihoods for over 600,000 people who depend on the country’s coastal and marine resources.

CTC’s third commitment targets the Banda Sea in Indonesia, where the organization is working to enhance the design and long-term sustainability of MPAs and locally managed marine areas (LMMAs). The project supports biodiversity protection through improved MPA management, community compliance, and sustainable fisheries practices, while also advancing Indonesia’s own “30 by 30” conservation target. Key components of this initiative include promoting “blue jobs” such as ecotourism and waste management, empowering women and marginalized groups, and creating sustainable financing mechanisms like coral bonds and ecosystem service payments. The project also integrates co-management of MPAs with sustainable fisheries governance, facilitating a networked approach that supports ecological resilience and economic well-being. Community monitoring of endangered, threatened, and protected species—including turtles, elasmobranchs, and snapper—will contribute to national databases and management plans, further supporting biodiversity conservation in remote island ecosystems.

Finally, CTC committed to strengthening inclusive governance in the blue economy through its work with the Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) fishery sector in Indonesia. Building on over a decade of capacity-building efforts, CTC is collaborating with partners such as EDF, Starling Resources, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to improve provincial-level fisheries governance in Central Java and Lampung. This includes institutional support for women’s BSC groups, strengthening secretariat systems, and enhancing leadership among fisheries working groups. Through a combination of technical assistance, training, and knowledge exchange, the initiative empowers fishers—especially women—to actively participate in decision-making and advocate for sustainable practices. The ultimate goal is to ensure long-term resource sustainability and improved livelihoods for coastal communities engaged in the BSC value chain.

CTC participated in several key plenary sessions, including those focused on the blue economy, digital oceans, and Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) side events. CTC team members also engaged in donor meetings and joined a field trip to Oryukdo Island MPA organized by the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), gaining insights into Korea’s marine conservation strategies.

CTC’s commitments at the Our Ocean Conference reflect its unwavering dedication to marine conservation, community empowerment, and regional collaboration. By focusing on inclusive capacity building, effective MPA management, and sustainable blue economy solutions, CTC continues to play a vital role in realizing a healthy and resilient ocean for future generations.

Writer: Kayla Azzahra
Photos: Our Ocean Conference