Senior government officials from Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Timor-Leste convened in Brisbane on 25 and 26 June 2024 for the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Senior Government Officials’ Meeting (SGOM). Hosted by the Australian Government through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW), this crucial meeting served as a Special Session of the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project’s Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Meeting.
The SGOM was a key preparatory session for the upcoming ATS Ministerial Forum, scheduled for September 2024 in Dili, Timor-Leste. The SGOM’s primary role was to review and finalise the draft ATS Ministerial Declaration for endorsement to the ATSEA focal ministries. The ATS Ministerial Declaration is a crucial document that sets the stage for future collaboration to address persistent and emerging key transboundary issues in the ATS region.
In particular, the Ministerial Declaration focuses on the formal adoption of the updated ATS Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for 2024-2033, establishment of the long-term Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM), and corresponding Financing Strategies and Plans in support of the SAP implementation. Additionally, the SGOM provided guidance on the program for the Ministerial Forum and the steps to operationalise the RGM as a long-term mechanism.
As the host country, Australia was instrumental in steering the discussions. Katrina Maguire, Division Head of the International Environment, Reef and Ocean Division at DCCEEW, who also served as Chair of the meeting, commented, “It is my privilege to welcome you to this meeting as we prepare the way for the next phase of ATSEA long-term collaboration. I would like to acknowledge the Timor-Leste delegation for hosting the forthcoming Ministerial Forum and appreciate all of us here working together to ensure the meeting is a success.”
Additionally, Iwan Kurniawan, representing UNDP Indonesia as the ATSEA-2 Project Implementing Agency, reflected on the substantial advancements made in marine and coastal management. He stated, “Our achievements in implementing the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and initiating community-based conservation plans demonstrate our commitment to ensuring the long-term ecological and economic resilience of the ATS region. As we convene at the SGOM, these accomplishments highlight the importance of our continued collaboration.”
Building on these reflections, each country then proposed specific initiatives and commitments. Australia proposed developing the legal policy and structural adjustments necessary to establish the RGM. They confirmed support for the shift from project to program arrangements and indicated ongoing in-country discussions on establishing necessary national RGM components and functions in support of the RGM and SAP. Additionally, Australia reaffirmed its commitment to support the operations of the Regional Secretariat during the bridging phase.
The Indonesian delegates proudly announced that the SAP has been signed by the Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, marking a significant achievement and good news for the SGOM. Indonesia also proposed developing the legal, policy, and structural adjustments needed to establish the RGM as a separate entity with legal personality. Indonesia expressed support for the final decision of the participating countries while recognizing the need for further studies. The country confirmed its commitment to continue hosting the regional secretariat office in Bali, with plans to finalise arrangements for seconding national and local staff by the end of 2024. Additionally, Indonesia recommended considering the proposed program for the Inaugural Meeting of the RCC as part of the transitional or bridging period.
PNG reaffirmed their support for the transition of ATSEA into a program and emphasised the necessity of a legal personality for the RGM to facilitate financial commitments and transfers. PNG confirmed their commitment to provide annual financial contributions during the bridging phase and to explore the legal basis for transferring funds to the interim fund manager.
Timor-Leste suggested conducting a study on potential options for the transition to a program in addition to developing ATSEA’s legal personality. Timor-Leste indicated that securing a legal personality for the RGM requires further analysis to evaluate benefits and potential drawbacks. Furthermore, the government of Timor-Leste confirmed their commitment to provide financial support for the bridging phase, incorporated in the 2025 government budget.
Beyond reviewing key documents targeted for the Ministerial Forum, the SGOM provided further guidance on the remaining key activities of the year, including plans for the inaugural meetings of the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) and the Regional Stakeholder Working Group (RSWG), as part of the target operationalisation of the RGM. These discussions aimed to align all logistical and strategic elements to foster successful collaboration among the participating countries.
On the second day, a Special Forum with Australian Agencies was held. This forum facilitated knowledge exchange and sought to create synergy between the ATS SAP and Australian environmental initiatives, focusing on aligning Australia’s programs with regional conservation goals and enhancing cross-border efforts for significant environmental impacts.
By Stella Puteri and Yulia Dewi