THE Coral Triangle, a vast underwater wonder spanning six million square kilometres across Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, is a beacon of marine biodiversity.
Often called the "Amazon of the Seas", this ecological treasure is home to 76 per cent of all known coral species, making it the planet's most biologically rich marine region.
Beyond its stunning biodiversity, the Coral Triangle plays a critical role in sustaining life and livelihoods. It supplies over 20 per cent of the world's seafood, feeding millions globally while driving the economies of Asia-Pacific nations. From vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish to coastal communities relying on marine resources, the Triangle is a lifeline for countless species, including humans.
However, this marine powerhouse is under siege. Climate change-driven coral bleaching events are ravaging its reefs, turning once-thriving ecosystems into ghostly white expanses.
Habitat destruction, spurred by coastal development and unsustainable fishing practices, is eroding the foundation of its biodiversity. Adding to the strain is illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which not only depletes fish stocks but also undermines conservation efforts and the livelihoods of local communities.
This is why the nations within this region came together to address the pressing issues threatening the Coral Triangle. Leaders from six Coral Triangle nations convened in Dili, Timor-Leste early this month, renewing their commitment to safeguarding the planet's most biodiverse marine region.
At the recently-concluded 19th Senior Officials' Meeting of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF), they set ambitious conservation targets for 2025.
These goals focus on tackling overfishing, mitigating the impacts of climate change and reducing pollution — key threats to the marine ecosystems that support 130 million coastal residents and underpin regional economies. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for unified action to protect this invaluable global treasure.
ACTION PLAN
"This region is the beating heart of marine biodiversity and a cornerstone of global food security," said H.E. Celestino da Cunha Barreto, chair of the Committee of Senior Officials, Timor-Leste's director-general of Aquaculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Adding, he continued: "Our oceans sustain millions of livelihoods, but this is a shared global responsibility. We call on the international community to join us in protecting these vital resources."
At the CTI-CFF, leaders reflected on progress made under their Regional Plan of Action 2.0 (2021–2030) and laid out ambitious goals for 2025. These goals focus on improving collaboration to manage large marine areas, ensuring better protection of ecologically important habitats and reducing human impact on marine ecosystems. Such measures are designed to secure the livelihoods of coastal communities and maintain the health of the oceans for future generations.
A major focus for 2025 is strengthening cooperation in key seascapes, including Sulu-Sulawesi, Bismarck-Solomon and Lesser Sunda. These areas will benefit from efforts to safeguard migratory species and boost marine research.
Additionally, the Coral Triangle nations aim to advance sustainable fishing practices by promoting innovative fishing tools, conducting detailed livelihood studies and addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Partnerships with global organisations such as the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA), the European Union (EU), the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) will play a crucial role in achieving these objectives.
The nations also reaffirmed their leadership in meeting the global 30x30 target, which aims to protect 30 per cent of the world's oceans by 2030. Dr. Frank Keith Griffin, executive director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, emphasised the significance of this commitment, saying: "Our dedication to 30x30 is not just a regional responsibility — it is a global duty. The Coral Triangle is a treasure for all humanity, and it demands bold and united action."
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Another priority is the expansion and enhancement of marine protected areas (MPAs) throughout the Coral Triangle. Efforts will focus on meeting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List Standards, which set benchmarks for effectively managed and well-governed protected areas.
These initiatives are supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) SOMACORE programme or Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle.
SOMACORE is an initiative running from 2022 to 2027, designed to boost the resilience of ecosystems and communities in the Coral Triangle. Implemented by GIZ, it works to scale up successful conservation practices, promote good governance and ensure the sustainable management of marine and coastal biodiversity.
The programme spans six Coral Triangle nations — Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste — and emphasises the need for transboundary collaboration to protect this critical marine region.
This includes improving the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs), fostering stronger networks of managers, and promoting scientific collaboration to strengthen the capacity of marine resource managers. These initiatives will also contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water.
On the sidelines of the meeting, CTI-CFF signed new agreements with the Coral Triangle Centre (CTC), the WWF Coral Triangle Programme and Timor-Leste's Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e. These partnerships aim to enhance MPA management and promote the seascape approach through regional knowledge-sharing and capacity-building programmes.
Global partners, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), IUCN, Conservation International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), reiterated their support for CTI-CFF's mission.
However, the Coral Triangle nations stressed the need for broader international collaboration, underscoring the region's vital role in sustaining global fisheries and biodiversity. Their united efforts highlight an unwavering determination to protect this "Amazon of the Seas" and ensure its survival for generations to come.