GEF IW:LEARN World Oceans Day 2021 Special Issue

In 2014, the littoral countries of Australia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste jointly committed to strengthen governance of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Their aim was to achieve key environmental objectives and targets, in line with a shared vision for sustainable development in the region. In support of this, and with the participation of Papua New Guinea, the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Programme has engaged PT Hatfield Indonesia to undertake an assessment of viable options for Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM).

Solutions include a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and National Action Programmes (NAPs) in the ATS region; the establishment of a Stakeholder Partnership Forum (SPF); and improved inclusion among the wider stakeholder base in the ATS region, including representatives of local people and women’s groups. Two regional consultations were convened in May 2021, to present the regional governance mechanism and seek inputs to refine and finalise the proposed arrangements.

Regional Consultation on the Mechanism for Collaborative Action in the ATS Region

Held virtually on 19 May 2021, the first regional consultation meeting was attended by members of the ATSEA-2 Regional Steering Committee and National Project Boards. Initial remarks were provided by Dr. Handoko Adi Susanto, ATSEA-2 Regional Project Manager, who outlined the meeting’s objectives and its expected outputs. The event was then officially opened by Dr. Sophie Kemkhadze, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP-Indonesia and Principal Project Representative for the ATSEA-2 Programme.

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