The Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project took part in the 10th GEF International Waters Conference (IWC10), held from 23-26 September 2024 in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Themed “Transformative actions and impacts for the water and ocean SDGs: The GEF IW response to the global challenge,” the conference provided a platform for experts from across the globe involved in international waters projects to collaborate, share knowledge and discuss innovative solutions to global water and ocean challenges. ATSEA-2’s participation highlighted its role in advancing sustainable marine management, with a focus on transboundary cooperation and community-based conservation efforts.
ATSEA-2’s participation, represented by the active engagement by Dr Handoko Adi Susanto, the Regional Project Manager and Stella Puteri, Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist, in IWC10 focused on several key objectives. First, the project aimed to showcase its achievements, including its efforts in expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and reducing marine pollution. By presenting these milestones, ATSEA-2 sought to share valuable lessons and effective strategies with the international waters community.
Another key goal was to promote collaboration with global partners. ATSEA-2 also focused on knowledge-sharing by presenting case studies and participating in workshops on sustainable fisheries, ecosystem management, and pollution control. The project aimed to both share its own experiences and learn from other international waters projects.
Additionally, ATSEA-2 sought to build capacity by joining technical site visits and training workshops, gaining new insights and practical tools to improve its work in the Arafura and Timor Seas region. The project also aligned its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its contributions to water- and ocean-related SDGs in various presentations and discussions. Before the main conference, ATSEA-2 took part in pre-conference workshops on 21-22 September 2024 in Montevideo, Uruguay. These workshops covered four key themes: Project Management, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Communication, and Sustainable Financing.
On 21 September 2024, both Dr Susanto and Puteri participated in the Project Management Workshop. This workshop highlighted the GEF standards applied in the project and the importance of effective communication and knowledge management in international waters projects, emphasising collaboration between technical teams and communication specialists.
Following the first day, on 22 September 2024, Dr Susanto attended the Sustainable Financing Workshop, which focused on securing long-term funding for marine conservation projects. At the same time, Puteri contributed through facilitating the Communication Workshop together with communications experts from the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and GRID-Arendal, engaging 40 participants in discussions on participatory communication strategies. Puteri presented a case study from Rote Ndao, Indonesia, highlighting the success of a women-led community group in developing alternative livelihoods through marine resources.
The main conference began on 23 September 2024 in Punta del Este. During the kick-off session, the conference committee announced that ATSEA-2 had been selected as the best case in the GEF IW:LEARN Portfolio, recognising the project for its outstanding contributions to sustainable marine management. This recognition highlighted ATSEA-2’s leadership and long-term impact in the Arafura and Timor Seas region. Together with other 29 successful projects, ATSEA-2 Project was chosen to be displayed in the newly launched interactive map that is soon to be integrated into the IW:LEARN website. Throughout the day, ATSEA-2 also participated in the Innovation Marketplace, where the project collaborated with UNDP to showcase its achievements at an exhibition booth. This provided an opportunity to promote ATSEA-2’s work and increase visibility among international stakeholders.
On 24 September 2024, ATSEA-2 participated in a technical site visit organised near Punta del Este as part of the conference. This visit provided a close look at Uruguay’s water and coastal management practices. Dr Susanto visited the Montevideo Wastewater Treatment Facility, which handles much of the city’s wastewater with a focus on sustainability. He also explored the Santa Lucia Wetlands, learning about efforts to preserve this key ecosystem at the meeting point of the Río de la Plata and Santa Lucía River. Meanwhile, Puteri joined a visit to Garzón Lagoon, a protected area rich in wildlife, and the Rocha Lagoon, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. She observed how these areas support diverse species and learned about conservation efforts to protect these important ecosystems. The visits offered ATSEA-2 valuable insights into innovative approaches to water and coastal management that can be applied to the work in the Arafura and Timor Seas region, focusing on sustainable practices that balance environmental protection and community needs.
ATSEA-2’s Contributions to the Conference through Interactive Workshop and Clinic Session
On 25 September 2024, Puteri facilitated the IW Clinic, “How to improve communication and outreach using contemporary means and tools”, co-organised with experts from ICPDR and GRID-Arendal, which focused on improving communication strategies through tools like storytelling, media management, and digital platforms. The session, attended by 40 participants, also featured Thara Gabriel, a representative from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, who delivered strong points on inclusivity in communications, drawing from her experience as a person who is hard of hearing.
The following day, on 26 September 2024, Dr Handoko Adi Susanto, in collaboration with Blue Nature Alliance, led a workshop on Social and Economic Equity in Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Dr Susanto highlighted the need to balance conservation goals with local livelihoods, drawing on examples from the Arafura and Timor Seas region. Together with Puteri, he facilitated discussions on how cross-sector partnerships can foster inclusive and equitable marine management solutions, aligning with ATSEA-2’s commitment to social equity.
Looking Forward
The conference concluded with a closing session, where the committee announced that the Asia Pacific region will host IWC11, marking the next step in continuing the global dialogue on international waters governance. ATSEA-2’s recognition as one of the top projects in the GEF IW:LEARN Portfolio, alongside its active participation in key sessions during IWC10, highlighted the project’s significant contributions to international waters management. Having successfully met its objectives, showcasing achievements, promoting collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building capacity, ATSEA-2 is now well-positioned to further its efforts in marine conservation, social equity, and sustainability in the Arafura and Timor Seas region, building on the momentum gained from IWC10.
By Stella Puteri