CTI SEASCAPES TECHNICAL REGIONAL EXCHANGE AND TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP MEETING SUCCESSFULLY HELD IN NORO, WESTERN PROVINCE, SOLOMON ISLANDS
Noro, Western Province, Solomon Islands — Over 30 participants representing the six Coral Triangle members (CT6), Senior Government officials, CTI Partners and stakeholders gathered for a 4 days series of technical exchanges and a high-level meeting to reinforce the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) priority seascapes, strengthen regional cooperation and collective action to address transboundary marine conservation and sustainable development challenges across the Coral Triangle region.
As part of these efforts, the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, in collaboration with the Seascapes Technical Working Group (TWG) Chair for 2026–2027, (Solomon Islands), Solomon Islands National Coordinating Committee ( SI-NCC) and supported by the CTI-CFF strategic partners (Wildlife Conservation Society, WWFSI, GIZ-SOMACORE Program, The Nature Conservancy), convened the CTI‑CFF Seascapes Technical Regional Exchange and Seascapes Technical Working Group meeting from 27 to 29th July 2026 at Marina Hotel in Noro, Western Province. The sessions were convened under the theme: “Advancing Transboundary Cooperation, for Connected, Resilient & Sustainable Seascapes.”
The first two and half days of the Regional Exchange featured a range of collaborative forums and exchanges, covering topics in marine spatial planning, the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions) Agreement, Sustainable Financing, transboundary collaboration, and waste management. These discussions continue to reinforce the importance of regional cooperation to address the complex challenges facing the CTI region.
Mr. Trevor Maeda, who is the current Seascapes Chair and Deputy Director Conservation – Environment & Conservation Division, NCC, Solomon Islands, in his opening statement highlighted: “Today, we will receive updates on the three priority seascapes: the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, the Lesser Sunda Seascape, and the Bismarck Solomon Seas Seascape. These seascapes not only represent areas of extraordinary ecological importance, but also embody our shared commitment to regional stewardship. They remind us that sustainable development and biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand through strong governance, science-based decision-making, and meaningful community- and people-centered partnerships. Our progress across these seascapes demonstrates what can be achieved when countries work together towards common goals.”
CTI-CFF Seascapes Chair, Mr. Trevor Maeda, Deputy Director Conservation, MECDM chairing the Technical Working Group Meeting. Solomon Islands Regional Chair role covers period 2026-2027
Some of the week’s highlights;
- 27th-29th July 2026, CTI-CFF Seascape Regional Exchange:
Delegates engaged in technical exchanges, shared best practices, and refined strategies to address seascape management. The sessions emphasized the important role of marine spatial planning, the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions) Agreement, Sustainable Financing, Transboundary collaboration, and Waste management initiatives.
Some of the delegates from from the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape region, a transboundary marine region within Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia
Delegates from the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands engaged in group discussion for the Bismarck-Solomon Seascape
Delegates from the Solomon Islands engaged in group discussion during one of the sessions
- 29th July 2026, CTI-CFF Seascape Technical Working Group:
The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) convened its 9th Seascape Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting in Noro, Western Province, marking a crucial opportunity for regional dialogue and collaboration focusing on seascapes and marine resource management.
During the Seascapes TWG meeting, delegates from the CT6 member countries Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, as well as Partners and the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, reviewed progress, endorsed strategic plans, and committed to strengthen coordination across seascape initiatives in a hybrid meeting chaired by Mr. Trevor Maeda, Deputy Director Conservation of the Environment and Conservation Division, MECDM.
Some of the key outcomes from the TWG included endorsement of the 2027 Workplans and Budgets for the TWGs, recommendations for the upcoming Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) to be held in December, 2026, and formal expression of interest from the Solomon Islands National Coordinating Committee, to host the next Seascapes regional exchange in 2027, pending SOM approval.
The meeting concluded with appreciation to the Solomon Islands Government (MFMR and MECDM) and development partners for their hosting support and to CT6 Members reaffirming CTI-CFF’s commitment to integrated, inclusive, and science-based marine governance across the Coral Triangle.
The Solomon Islands Chair and TWG members and SINCC reps, Seascapes Chair (fourth from left) and the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat’s Technical Program Manager (far right)
Group photo of delegates and partners at the Seascapes TREX & TWG meeting held in Noro, Western Province, 27th-29th July 2026