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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2007 > December 
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
December 7, 2007


U.S. Announces Funding of Coral Triangle Initiative

Environmental Ministers from Australia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Assistant Secretary Claudia A. McMurray as well as representatives from prominent NGOs. [Photo U.S. Embassy Jakarta]The Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs intends to commit $750,000 for the recently announced Coral Triangle Initiative in the East Asian/Pacific region. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Environment and Sustainable Development Daniel A. Reifsnyder announced this contribution today in Bali. USAID is also providing $3,600,000 - for a total of $4.35 million - to help the countries of the region build the Initiative during its formative stages.

The regionally-driven Coral Triangle Initiative is slated to be a comprehensive plan addressing two major threats to this biologically diverse marine region: resource exploitation and climate change effects. The Coral Triangle Initiative will focus on three primary areas: 1) protecting coral reefs from man-made and natural disturbances, 2) developing sustainable fisheries, and 3) ensuring food security for the region’s inhabitants. The Coral Triangle Initiative affects Indonesia (Central and Eastern), Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Malaysia (Sabah), Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.Assistant Secretary Claudia A. McMurray meets the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at the Coral Triangle Initiaitve event. [Photo U.S. Embassy Jakarta] Assistant Secretary McMurray meeting with Russ Mittermeier from NGO Conservation International during side meetings at the Bali UNFCCC Conference of the Parties. [Photo U.S. Embassy Jakarta]

The United States has long been a supporter of integrated coastal resources management, improved coastal governance, and coral reef conservation within the Coral Triangle, partnering with governments and other stakeholders over the past two decades. Since the late 1990s, USAID has provided $33 million for marine/coastal conservation programs in the Coral Triangle region that have already been completed. Currently, USAID is providing $26 million for ongoing marine/coastal management programs in the area of the Coral Triangle Initiative.

2007/1108


Released on December 7, 2007

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