JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH HON JOHN PUNDARI MP, PNG MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The regional Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) was a key focus of discussions between Australian Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Greg Hunt, MP, and Papua New Guinea Minister for Environment and Conservation and Climate Change, the Hon. John Pundari, MP, during Minister Hunt’s visit to PNG this week.
“I am delighted to announce the Australian Government will be contributing up to $1.9 million in additional support for implementation of PNG, and related, Coral Triangle Initiative priorities,” Mr Hunt said.
“The Coral Triangle ecosystems provide food and other benefits to more than 120 million people. Australia is committed to the Coral Triangle Initiative and has allocated more than $13 million of support since 2009, with almost $1.7 million going to support activities in PNG.
“Practical action is critical to maintaining the integrity of Coral Triangle ecosystems that provide economic benefits and food security for the region,” Mr Hunt said.
As the current chair for the Council of Ministers in the CTI-CFF countries, Minister Pundari welcomed the support Australia has provided and expects tangible outcomes to benefit the people in these communities.
“The regional approach of the Coral Triangle initiative helps channel international attention, collaboration and support to local priorities for the sustainable use of marine natural resources for the benefit of future generations,” Mr Pundari said.
“Australia’s support will enable us to implement projects that have empowered local communities as well as build expertise and raise awareness of large scale marine planning and management.”
Both Ministers said they looked forward to working together on future Coral Triangle Initiative programmes including the southern waters of PNG, especially in the Gulf of Papua.
Under the Coral Triangle Initiative, Australia works collaboratively with Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste to support the sustainable management of the Coral Triangle marine environment.
For more information on the Coral Triangle Initiative go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/international-activities/coral-triangle-initiative
(ENDS)