Tales from the Triangle Highlights the Importance of Regional Coordination in Marine Conservation

In his opening remarks, Dr. Jan Henning Steffen, Programme Director of SOMACORE at GIZ, emphasized the need for a holistic and inclusive approach to conservation.

“We respect traditional knowledge in all its forms,” Dr. Steffen noted. “We value scientific knowledge, and we value the grown experience that we have seen in co-management between agencies, NGOs, local communities, and the private sector, particularly in marine conservation.”

The session, themed “Beyond Borders: Regional Coordination in Coral Triangle Conservation,” highlighted the importance of cross-country collaboration to address mounting threats in the world’s most biodiverse marine region. Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry, Indonesia’s National Focal Point to the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), delivered the keynote address. He underscored the Coral Triangle’s vital ecological and socio-economic roles, supporting over 120 million people through fisheries, food security, and coastal protection. However, Dr. Siry warned that the Coral Triangle is under increasing threat from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and destructive fishing practices. He called for inclusive management approaches and urgent conservation action to ensure that this unique marine biodiversity hotspot—and the communities it supports—can thrive for generations to come.

Insights from Transboundary Practice
Dr. Francesco de Franco of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas shared lessons from the South Adriatic–Ionian region, advocating for integrated approaches that combine scientific data, legal frameworks, and participatory governance. He emphasized that these components must work together to protect ecologically connected marine areas, particularly those that cross national boundaries and support highly mobile species. His presentation provided a practical lens for Coral Triangle countries aiming to design transboundary marine protected areas that are both ecologically effective and socially inclusive.

Dr. Frank Keith Griffin, Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, closed the session by reflecting on the importance of strong regional institutions. While national leadership remains crucial, platforms like CTI-CFF play a critical role in aligning country-led efforts into coherent regional strategies, enabling knowledge sharing, and coordinating joint action on shared marine challenges.

From Shared Dialogue to Collective Action
As the session concluded, speakers and participants alike acknowledged that ensuring a resilient future for the Coral Triangle will require more than policy commitments or scientific knowledge alone. It will depend on strong, inclusive governance structures—anchored in regional solidarity, informed by science, and rooted in the voices and leadership of coastal communities. In the spirit of talanoa, the conversation has begun—not simply to exchange ideas, but to build momentum toward coordinated action that secures the health of ecosystems and the well-being of those who depend on them.

Tales from the Triangle continues as an open invitation: to listen, to learn, and to lead together in shaping a sustainable future for the Coral Triangle.

📩 For more information about Tales from the Triangle, contact Allysa Marie C. Federio at @email
📝 Register for upcoming sessions: https://tinyurl.com/SOMACORESessions2025