ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF THE CORAL TRIANGLE INITIATIVE: THE

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001880 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR U/S FORE, U/S DOBRIANSKY, U/S GLASSMAN, A/S MCMURRAY WHITE HOUSE FOR CEQ CONNAUGHTON NOAA FOR ADMINISTRATOR LAUTENBACHER STATE ALSO FOR EAP/MTS AND OES E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: SENV KGHG EAID AORC EFIS PREL ID SUBJECT: ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF THE CORAL TRIANGLE INITIATIVE: THE ROLE OF THE OKEANOS EXPLORER REF: A) STATE 103448 B) JAKARTA 1766 ¶1. Summary. Indonesia will make or break the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and Embassy Jakarta is committed to providing the political and public diplomacy support requested in ref A. The reason is simple: President Yudhoyono launched the CTI and Indonesia represents more than 50 percent of the Coral Triangle region. It is in our interest to help him. We are focused on the success of the May 11-15, 2009 World Oceans Conference (WOC) and the CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia. These events offer a unique diplomatic opportunity to advance the long-term environmental and scientific agendas of the CTI, both in Indonesia and the wider Coral Triangle region. A key element to jumpstart scientific collaboration would be a research voyage by NOAA's newest exploration and research vessel Okeanos Explorer timed to coincide with the WOC and CTI Summit. End Summary. Research and Capacity Building: Key to CTI Success -------------- -------------- ¶2. In order to be a success, the Coral Triangle Initiative must help local scientists develop their scientific skills and build their capacity to conduct innovative research. We have, working collaboratively with NOAA and the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF),identified three priority areas for capacity building and research in the MMAF that relate directly to the five CTI goals. Building Indonesian capacity in these areas (management of marine protected areas, fisheries management, and methods to effectively combat illegal fishing) is crucial to achieving CTI's regional goals. USAID Indonesia is already funding an assessment of the MMAF that will include an analysis about how the MMAF can best meet its broad range of responsibilities under the CTI. USAID Indonesia is considering additional resources for capacity building, including for activities agreed upon by NOAA and USAID. ¶3. The Okeanos Explorer's voyage would be an integral part of this capacity building and would mark the kick-off of a long-term collaborative research partnership between NOAA and countries in the region, beginning with Indonesia. The ship would also collect critical scientific information to support the Coral Triangle Initiative. We also plan to use the Okeanos Explorer's voyage to demonstrate that the CTI can attract public-private partnerships; private sector contributions will be an important element of the CTI's long-term sustainability. Cultivating Long-Term Political and Public Support -------------- -------------- ¶4. Our support for the Coral Triangle Initiative as well as our active participation in the World Oceans Conference will be widely recognized by marine experts as a commitment to sustainable ocean management. With projected funding of $32 million over five years, the U.S. is the largest bilateral donor to CTI. But numbers aside, it is essential for the U.S. to work bilaterally and regionally to build and sustain enduring political commitment to--and public support for--the CTI that will withstand changes in administrations and government priorities. ¶5. A visit by the Okeanos Explorer would be a visible symbol of our support to the Coral Triangle Initiative. The Okeanos Explorer will enable researchers and the public to view undersea features never before seen by man, thereby generating excitement in Southeast Asia and the United States. It would shine a spotlight on the U.S. government's commitment to environmental issues. HUME