Representatives from Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea gathered online on 21 August 2025 for the Second Consultative Meeting of the ATSEA Regional Coordination Committee (RCC). Chaired by Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the meeting brought together 34 participants, including observers from the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the ATSEA Interim Regional Secretariat (IRS).
Building on the outcomes of the first consultative meeting held in June 2025, the discussion focused on how countries can strengthen their collaboration and sustain the ATSEA Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM), which guides joint action for the Arafura and Timor Seas. Participants also exchanged updates on regional initiatives to tackle marine pollution, develop new funding proposals and engage more partners in supporting shared priorities across the region.
One of the main topics was the future direction of the ATSEA governance structure. Countries reviewed several options for how the RGM could operate in the long term, including the possibility of establishing ATSEA as an intergovernmental organisation. Papua New Guinea expressed strong support for this approach, emphasising that an independent regional body would help maintain ownership among member countries and strengthen regional cooperation. Indonesia noted that further internal consultations are needed before a formal decision is made, while Australia suggested that all countries share their official positions within six weeks. This timeline was agreed upon by all members, with the aim of reaching a collective decision at the upcoming Secind Annual RCC Meeting in December.
Another key highlight was the development of the Regional Action Plan on Abandoned, Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear, also known as ghost gear. Supported by funding from the Australian Government, this initiative seeks to reduce the impacts of lost fishing gear that continues to harm marine life and coastal livelihoods across the Arafura and Timor Seas. The plan will serve as a regional guide that encourages countries to coordinate their actions, promote sustainable fishing practices and involve local communities. Participants stressed the importance of engaging small-scale fishers, encouraging behavioural change and advancing circular economy efforts that can turn discarded materials into useful products. A draft of the plan will be presented later this year during the in-person RCC meeting in Jakarta.
Discussions also focused on mobilising new financial support for the implementation of the ATSEA Strategic Action Programme 2024–2033. The countries are preparing a joint proposal to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to address key transboundary issues, including marine plastic pollution, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and the conservation of threatened species and habitats. Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to finalise and submit the necessary documents by September 2025, with support from the ATSEA Interim Regional Secretariat and UNDP to ensure the proposal is completed on time.
To further expand collaboration, participants welcomed Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) as ATSEA’s second Strategic Development Partner. OSRL brings extensive experience in oil spill preparedness and response and will help strengthen regional capacity to prevent and manage marine pollution. Member countries also encouraged the Secretariat to continue engaging other potential partners that share ATSEA’s mission of promoting sustainable ocean management and regional cooperation.
As the meeting concluded, delegates expressed appreciation for the continued partnership among ATSEA countries and organisations. Indonesia offered to host the Second Annual RCC Meeting in December 2025 in Jakarta, where representatives will meet in person to review progress and set the direction for future collaboration. The session closed with a shared commitment to keep working together to protect the Arafura and Timor Seas and ensure their long-term sustainability for the communities that depend on them.
By Yulia Dewi