Representatives from Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea came together in Jakarta on 3–4 December 2025 for the Second Annual Meeting of the ATSEA Regional Coordination Committee (RCC), marking an important milestone in the transition of ATSEA from a time-bound project into a long-term regional program. The meeting was hosted by the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and attended by 65 participants from governments, partner organisations, and regional initiatives.

The meeting reviewed progress made during the first year of transition and discussed how countries can continue working together to implement the Arafura and Timor Seas Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for 2024–2033. Discussions focused on strengthening regional coordination, advancing priority projects, and ensuring long-term support for cooperation in the region.

A key discussion focused on how regional coordination should be organised in the coming years. Countries discussed how to further develop the Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM), which provides the structure for coordinating policies and actions across borders. After several rounds of consultations throughout 2025, countries agreed to explore a hybrid institutional arrangement that may involve a strategic association with the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF), potentially starting in 2027 as a trial mechanism. The arrangement will be tested for a defined period and reviewed using agreed performance indicators before long-term decisions are made.

Countries reviewed ongoing efforts to address Abandoned, Lost, or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), which remains a shared concern across the region. Participants agreed to extend the deadline for country feedback on the draft Regional Action Plan (RAP) on ALDFG to mid-January 2026 and to convene a dedicated RCC meeting in February 2026 to finalise the next phase of implementation. Options for regional funding arrangements to support ALDFG actions will also be presented at that meeting.

Alongside regional planning, the meeting also confirmed preparations for new field-based activities, including the Seagrass and Dugong Conservation Project in Rote Ndao, Indonesia, supported by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. The project will focus on research and community awareness and will be implemented in collaboration with national and local partners starting in 2026.

During the meeting, each country shared updates on national initiatives that support the SAP and National Action Programmes (NAPs). These included actions on reducing marine pollution, improving fisheries management, strengthening monitoring systems, protecting endangered and migratory species, and enhancing surveillance to address illegal fishing. The sharing session highlighted how national efforts contribute directly to regional goals and create opportunities for technical cooperation across borders.

Participants also agreed on the importance of strengthening technical exchanges beyond annual meetings. A consolidated list of national and thematic contact points will be prepared to improve communication, share experiences, and support joint activities among countries and partners.

The meeting also agreed that the RCC’s position will be formally shared with the CTI-CFF Secretariat and discussed at the CTI-CFF Senior Officials Meeting in December 2025. Follow-up discussions will continue through intersessional RCC meetings in 2026 to determine the next steps.

The meeting adopted ATSEA’s Work Plan and Budget for 2026, which will continue to focus on strengthening governance arrangements, implementing ALDFG activities, launching the seagrass and dugong project, and improving monitoring and communication efforts. The plan includes retaining the current Interim Regional Secretariat team and recruiting additional technical staff to support field implementation. Participants also welcomed the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) as a new Strategic Development Partner and reaffirmed ongoing collaboration with existing partners, including PEMSEA and Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), to support regional actions and capacity building.

The Second Annual RCC Meeting confirmed that countries remain committed to building a strong and practical regional program for the Arafura and Timor Seas. While discussions on institutional arrangements will continue in 2026, the focus remains on turning plans into actions that benefit marine ecosystems and coastal communities across the region. With several projects moving into implementation and new partnerships forming, ATSEA enters 2026 with a growing platform for collaboration and shared learning in support of long-term ocean sustainability.

By Yulia Dewi