Department of Environment and Conservation, Papua New Guinea

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While large parts of Papua New Guinea’s rich coastal resources remain untouched, they are at increasing risk from the growth of mining, palm oil extraction and other industries. With careful and considered action, Papua New Guinea’s pristine habitats can help to support the recovery and resilience of the whole Coral Triangle.

Screen Shot 2014-07-18 at 11.01.51The Coral Triangle has the highest diversity of marine life in the world. Spanning 648 million hectares off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, the ecosystems in the region support the livelihoods of over 340 million people.
Papua New Guinea forms a special part of the Coral Triangle with its largely untouched waters, which is home to over 1,400 species of fish, over 700 species of coral, and a host of endangered
species.

In 2009, the six nations of the Coral Triangle came together to form the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF).

Screen Shot 2014-07-18 at 10.58.51Linking local action with a national plan
The Government of Papua New Guinea through the Department of Environment and Conservation recognised the need for the country to effectively co-ordinate the management of its marine resources. The
Department of Environment and Conservation initiated the integration and development of PNG’s National Plan of Action in 2010.

PNG CTI-CFF National Co-ordination Committee (NCC) was established by the National Executive
Council in May 2009 to provide intra-government co-ordination of PNG’s involvement in the CTI-CFF. NCC is led by representatives from the Department of Environment and Conservation, the National Fisheries Authority and the Offi ce of Climate Change and Development. PNG CTI NCC ensures there is communication between all partners and the Secretariat and also with the Interim Regional Secretariat from Indonesia. The NCC co-ordinates, monitors and reports on activities under the PNG Marine Programme that are implemented by Partners, Maritime Provincial Governments and National Government line agencies.

Screen Shot 2014-07-18 at 10.59.02Through CTI NCC three sites were endorsed as pilot sites: Milne Bay, Manus and Kimbe Bay to serve as living laboratories for developing best practices that can be applied throughout the country and the greater Coral Triangle region. Training is provided to key stakeholders to increase the capacity for environmental policymaking. Through this support, decision makers and implementing partners have increased expertise and skills to ensure the longevity of their coastal and marine resources.

On 16 May 2014, PNG assumed the Chair of the CTI-CFF Council of Ministers, with the Philippines as Vice-Chair, serving a two-year term.

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