29 May 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Manado provided support to the Philippine delegation to the World Coral Reef Conference (WCRC) and Related Meetings held from May 13 to 17 in Manado City, Indonesia.
Under the WCRC, four other major international events were held concurrently in Manado City: the World Ocean Business Forum on May 14; International Blue Carbon Symposium on May 15; Coral Reef Exhibition from May 14 to 15; and the opening of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Secretariat Building on May 16.
The events were attended by representatives from 29 countries and 13 international organizations, including Ministers and Senior Officials from the governments of the Coral Triangle Six (CT-6) countries, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
The Philippine delegation was led by Undersecretary Manuel D. Gerochi, representing Secretary Ramon Jesus P. Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The other delegates were Dr. Vincent Hilomen, Ms. Angelita P. Meniado and Mr. Pablo delos Reyes Jr. of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of DENR; and Ms. Jessica Cardinoza Munoz from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Philippine Consul General in Manado Jose D.R. Burgos and Vice Consul Jan Sherwin P. Wenceslao were present to support the Philippine delegation.
As a result of the meetings, the Manado Communiqué was released by the delegates of the CT-6, which calls for inclusive growth to improve local community livelihoods; reaffirms support for integrated and science-based approaches to coral reef management; encourages global and regional policy analysis to strengthen the policy framework for coral reefs; and recognizes the role of women in the conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs. The Communiqué also addresses capacity-building and local, national and regional cooperation, including partnerships with academia and the private sector. It recommends building community capacity to improve and maintain the resilience of coral reefs and their related ecosystems. It encourages national, regional and international initiatives on coral reef conservation, with the aim of ensuring food security and nutrition.
During their six-day stay in Manado, the participants were accorded with hospitality and cultural performances, including two gala dinners at the Manado Convention Center and Novotel Convention Center.
The WCRC is as a follow up of to the World Ocean Conference (WOC) and the Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI) Summit which were also held in Manado in 2009 that issued the Declaration of Manado aimed at protecting and preserving coral reefs. It also followed the 2nd Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Regional Priorities Workshop (RPW) also held in Manado on 20-22 August 2013. END