Help Coral Triangle.....

ADB to Help Coral Triangle Policy Makers Through Better Information Exchange

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is assisting the six
member-countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) strengthen coastal
and marine ecosystems management through a $2.3-million technical
assistance.

"The project will promote regional cooperation on information exchange and
decision making based on scientific and technical knowledge to ensure that
the Coral Triangle will be managed in a coordinated and sustainable manner,"
said Marilou Drilon, natural resources economist of ADB's Southeast Asia
Department.

Often referred to as “the Amazon of the Seas,” the Coral Triangle contains
vast marine resources critical for the economic and food security of an
estimated 120 million people. These resources are at immediate risk from a
range of factors, including the impacts of climate change, over fishing, and
unsustainable fishing methods.

ADB is actively assisting the CTI, which groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua
New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste to oversee the
5.7-million-square-kilometer expanse of ocean.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) will provide a $1.2 million
grant,
to be administered by ADB, for the project. GEF aids projects on global
environmental issues involving climate change, biodiversity, international
waters, and ozone depletion.

ADB's Regional Cooperation and Integration Fund under the Regional
Cooperation and Integration Financing Partnership Facility will provide an
additional $500,000 grant. The six member-countries will contribute $600,000
to complete project funding.

The project will help establish regional learning mechanisms and disseminate
research-based information to define options and decisions for sustainable
resource management. It will explore innovative and sustainable financing to
implement the CTI Regional Plan of Action on improved strategic planning,
communications, and training. It will also encourage stakeholders'
participation and build on existing policies, plans, inter-country
agreements, institutional arrangements, and accomplishments to speed up
progress in the CTI region.

ADB's Southeast Asia Department will take the lead in the project and work
closely with ADB's CTI Task Force. The lead environment agencies in each CTI
country will assist in project implementation.

About ADB