Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment will host the International Conference on Sustainable Coral Reefs (ICSCR) on December 13–15, 2024, in Manado, North Sulawesi. This event is part of the 2024 Nusantara Day commemoration and the first 100 days of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
Representatives from 13 countries, including experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, will attend the conference themed “Science, Conservation, Resilience, and Development.” The discussions will focus on preserving coral reef ecosystems, which are critical as fish spawning grounds. However, coral reefs worldwide face significant threats from climate change and human activities.
The largest coral reef ecosystems are located within the Coral Triangle, spanning six equatorial countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. The Coral Triangle covers approximately 75,000 square kilometers, with 65,000 square kilometers situated in Indonesia. This region boasts extraordinary marine biodiversity, home to around 500 coral species and 3,000 fish species, making its conservation a global priority. Initiatives like this international conference aim to address these concerns.
During the conference, the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) will launch a key document titled “Indonesia’s Coral Reefs: Present and Future” as a reference for sustainable conservation, preservation, rehabilitation, and utilization of coral reefs in Indonesia.
The conference is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, with remarks from the United Nations Ambassador for Oceans. Keynote speeches will be delivered by the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of BAPPENAS, Rahmad Pambudi, and the Minister of Agriculture, Amran Sulaiman.
On Sunday, December 15, 2024, all international conference participants and local communities will join in a coral reef transplantation activity at the Bunaken Marine Park coastline in North Sulawesi. The event is expected to be attended by Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antonio.
