On October 6, 2025, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) had the pleasure of hosting representatives from the University of Edinburgh for a knowledge exchange meeting with the Edinburgh Ocean Leaders (EOL) at the CTC Center for Marine Conservation in Sanur, Bali. The session brought together the 2025 cohort of Ocean Leaders representing countries from across the globe, alongside the EOL leadership team and Ocean Leader Fellows from Indonesia.

The participants came from diverse backgrounds and professions, including conservation, marine and fisheries science, the blue economy, journalism, and indigenous and traditional leadership. Their visit provided a unique opportunity to connect global expertise and local experience in addressing shared challenges in ocean management.

The visit began with a guided tour of CTC’s Exhibition Hall, where participants learned about the Coral Triangle region’s marine biodiversity and CTC’s long-term conservation work. Executive Director, Rili Djohani, highlighted CTC’s programs in marine protected area management, ocean literacy, and community engagement during her presentation in the OceanX Portal Exhibit area.

A lively discussion and Q&A session allowed participants to exchange ideas and reflections on ocean leadership and conservation strategies. “We found both the tour of the center and the subsequent discussions inspiring, and many of the group were able to reflect on similarities and ideas to take back into their own work. We hope that this could lead to collaborations and that our paths will cross again in the future,” commented Meriwether, Sandy, and Lucy, participants in the knowledge exchange. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing ocean sustainability efforts worldwide.

Writer: Kayla Azzahra

Photos: Coral Triangle Center