The First Consultative Meeting of the ATSEA Regional Coordination Committee (RCC), which was held virtually on 25 June 2025, demonstrated a spirit of collaboration and open discussion aimed at building consensus on key actions to operationalise and institutionalise the ATSEA Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM) and facilitate the implementation of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Strategic Action Programme (SAP) 2024-2033 and supporting National Action Programmes (NAPs).

Through the signing of the Sydney Ministerial Declaration in December 2024, Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea formally adopted the RGM and the SAP as the framework for regional cooperation. These frameworks address transboundary environmental issues in the ATS region, which include marine and coastal plastic pollution including Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gears (ALDFG), oil spills, small-scale transboundary Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, and decline in Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species and critical habitats, with climate change, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), and governance as cross-cutting concerns.  

Chaired by Leban Gisawa, Deputy Managing Director for Corporate Affairs of the National Fisheries Authority of Papua New Guinea, and held six months after the transition from the ATSEA-2 project-based arrangements to the long-term ATSEA Program, the meeting discussed progress in implementing the approved work plan and budget for 2025, focusing on the operationalisation of the RGM, ALDFG, monitoring and knowledge management, and resource mobilisation to support the ATSEA Program.

Senior representatives from the ATSEA participating countries attended the meeting, led by Dr Andrew Chek, Assistant Director of the Pacific Engagement Section of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Australia, Desri Yanti, Deputy Director for Multilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Indonesia, and Thomas Usu, Executive Manager of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Papua New Guinea. Representatives from the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangkok Regional Hub and Indonesia and Timor-Leste Country Offices joined the meeting as Observers. The ATSEA Interim Regional Secretariat (IRS), led by Dr Handoko Adi Susanto, Interim Executive Director, supported the conduct of the meeting.  

Discussions covered key developments across the region. Papua New Guinea shared its initiatives in implementing the RGM and confirmed a financial contribution of USD 65,000 to support the Regional Secretariat in 2025. The country is also advancing the Fore-coast Artisanal Fisheries Management Plan (FAFMP) in South Fly District, strengthening monitoring and surveillance capacities, updating management plans for key marine species, and improving institutional collaboration across agencies.

Indonesia provided updates on national efforts to address the SAP’s core issues and reaffirmed its commitment to host the Regional Secretariat Office and second personnel to the Secretariat. In addition, Indonesia will host the annual RCC and Regional Stakeholder Working Group (RSWG) meetings in Jakarta later this year.

Australia confirmed its delivery of AUD 1.4 million (USD 852,858) to support actions addressing ALDFG in the ATS region and an additional AUD 300,000 (USD 188,160) to support Secretariat operations. Findings from the ALDFG situational analysis reinforced the need for regional collaboration and locally tailored solutions. In response, a Regional Action Plan on ALDFG will be developed through a consultative process with RCC members.

Meanwhile, the Regional Secretariat presented project concepts or proposals for submission to prospective donors. This includes a proposed dugong and seagrass conservation initiative in Rote Ndao, Indonesia, and a GEF medium-sized project to strengthen SAP and NAP implementation at both regional and national levels. The meeting also considered possible pathways for institutionalising the ATSEA RGM, with RCC members offering recommendations to refine the options assessment.

Following these discussions, the RCC approved the revised work plan and budget for 2025. It was also agreed that the Committee would reconvene in the last week of July 2025 to continue discussions on the updated RGM options assessment, the next steps for the development of the ALDFG Regional Action Plan, and the progress with the current funding opportunities.  

The meeting concluded with representatives from participating countries expressing their appreciation and commitment to continued collaboration under the ATSEA framework. The Chair thanked all the delegates for their support and cooperation, noting the progress made and the importance of coordinated action.

By Cristine Ingrid S. Narcise