The session was moderated by Angelique Pouponneau, Former CEO of SeyCCAT (Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust). Alongside the ATSEA-2 Regional Project Manager, Dr Handoko Adi Susanto, the discussion featured several distinguished panellists, including Amanda McLoughlin, OBE, Minister-Counsellor Development for Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN Foundation at UK FCDO, Dr Hide Sakaguchi, President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Oskar Lecuyer, Environmental Economist at the Agence Française de Développement, Celly Catharina, Lead Senior Marine Program Specialist at USAID Indonesia Marine and Fisheries Sector, Jan Yoshioka, Vice President of Sustainable Finance for the Asia-Pacific Region at Conservation International, Rebekah Mawson, Policy and Partnerships Manager at The Nature Conservancy, and Noah Greenberg, Blue Economy Director at the Waitt Institute.

Dr Susanto shared insights from the ATSEA-2  Project. Launched in 2019, ATSEA-2 builds on the successes of the initial ATSEA-1 project, significantly impacting the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region by promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for local communities.

Dr Susanto emphasised the establishment of the ATS Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM) to support the joint ten-year Strategic Action Programme (SAP), highlighting its role in fostering coordinated actions and resource sharing among the four ATS countries: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste.

Dr Susanto highlighted the project's achievements, noting the endorsement of a Regional Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Plan for Red Snapper Fisheries and support for various Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs), which have promoted sustainable fishing and effective fish stock management. He emphasised efforts in pollution and oil spill management, habitat and species protection, and climate resilience, including a partnership with Oil Spill Response Limited, which has enhanced their capacity to address marine pollution. Additionally, the project has protected over 815,000 hectares of Marine Protected Areas and adopted a Sea Turtle Regional Action Plan to conserve critical habitats and protect endangered species.

Community engagement has been a cornerstone of the ATSEA-2 Project, with over 85,000 individuals participating in activities focused on alternative livelihoods and financial literacy training. These efforts have benefited women's groups, enhancing their participation and leadership in governance and management.

Dr Susanto highlighted the importance of an integrated and participatory approach, involving local communities, government agencies, NGOs, academia, and the private sector in planning and decision-making. He stressed the need to institutionalize sustainable practices by integrating them into national and local development plans to ensure long-term commitment and funding.

Finally, Dr Susanto called for continued collaboration and strong leadership to foster sustainable ocean development, urging stakeholders to work together for a resilient future for our oceans. "By focusing on these priorities – adopting an integrated and participatory approach and institutionalizing sustainable practices – we can overcome barriers and accelerate progress towards sustainable ocean development," he asserted. In their closing statements, all panelists agreed that partnership is key to success, emphasising that leadership or a local champion, whether at the government or community level, is also crucial.

About the project

ATSEA-2 is the second phase of the Arafura & Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) program; a regional partnership involving the governments of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste, with the support of the Australian Government. Its objective is to collectively manage high marine and fisheries resources in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Since its inception in 2019, the Program has been working to promote sustainable development in the ATS and improve the quality of life of its inhabitants through a combination of restoration, conservation and sustainable management of marine-coastal ecosystems.

The ATSEA-2 Project is committed to safeguarding the livelihoods and prosperity of coastal people in the ATS region, particularly in transboundary areas, through the implementation of sustainable integrated concepts. ATSEA-2 is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded program, managed and executed under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Resource Facility (PRF) is an implementing partner.

For more information on the ATSEA-2 Project, please contact the Regional Project Manager, Dr Handoko Adi Susanto (hasusanto@pemsea.org), visit the project page on iwlearn.net, or the project website.