Arafura Seas-Timor Seas Experts Forum
[last updated February 6, 2006 3:36 PM]

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General Information
Partnership website(s)
    Expected Timeframe
    December 2002 - December 2005
    Partners
    Governments:
    • Government of Australia - National Oceans Office
    • Government of Indonesia
    • Government of Timor-Leste - East Timor
    		Major Groups:
      UN System:
        		Other intergovernmental organizations:
          Other:
          • ANU Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies (Australia)
          • CRC Reef (Australia)
          • The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) (Australia)
          		 
          Thematic Focus
          Primary Themes:
          • Oceans and seas
          		 Secondary Themes:
          • Means of Implementation (Trade, Finance, Technology, Transfer, etc.)
          Geographic Coverage
          Geographic Scope: Sub-regional Arafura and Timor Seas
          Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented:
          Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste
          National Focal Points
          At present, no information is available as to whether the partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the relevant countries.
          Goals and Objectives
          Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
          The Arafura Timor Seas Expert Forum (ATSEF) provides opportunities to improve information-sharing arrangements between the littoral states of the Arafura and Timor Seas. It provides an opportunity to identify cooperative research agendas and arrangements to enhance the capacity to sustainably manage the Arafura Timor Seas.
          Targets and Progress
          Partnership targets
          The Forum promotes effective information exchange and development of policy, scientific and institutional linkages to augment existing arrangements between littoral states and strengthen and extend intergovernmental regional cooperation.
          Expected results include:
          - Development of agreements or protocols concerning information exchange;
          - Identification of agreed management priorities for the Arafura-Timor Seas;
          - Identification of research and information requirements to support agreed management priorities;
          - Identification and development of opportunities for progressing sustainable development through the exchange of information on practical institutional and policy approaches.
          Progress against targets
          ATSEF member countries are Australia, Indonesia and Timor Leste. The key areas of research focus include IUU fishing, sustaining marine biodiversity, better understanding of ocean dynamics, alternative livelihoods and improving capacity for data sharing and information management.
          Australia has provided policy support and seed funding to establish ATSEF. Continued funding to implement an ATSEF operational plan is expected from the GEF.
          Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
          Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
          • Education/building awareness
          The Forum provides scope for institutional strengthening: - through the sharing of information and capacity building in policy development and integrated marine planning; - including developing effective domestic consultation mechanisms focused on sustainable management; - assisting in further delineating national and shared responsibilities in terms of sustainably managing the Arafura-Timor Seas with particular regard to scientific cooperation, research and information sharing; - through the identification and fostering of appropriate and effective monitoring capacities and approaches.
          Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
          How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
          The Arafura Timor Seas Forum supports objectives in Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 with particular reference to programme area F: Strengthening international, including regional cooperation and coordination. Areas of particular interest include integrated marine management; scientific, policy and institutional capacity building; and alternative sustainable livelihoods. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
          Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources
          Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
          Sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific
          Coordination and Implementation
          Coordination Mechanism of the Partnership
          The Forum will serve as a key coordination mechanism between Arafura and Timor littoral states in issues relating to information needs for sustainable marine management.
          Implementation Mechanism of the Partnership
          The Forum is designed to augment existing arrangements between littoral states. Appropriate implementation mechanisms will be identified in the context of Forum discussion. Australia's marine science institutions and the National Oceans Office will seek to contribute information and research outcomes to meet Arafura Timor Seas management needs where consistent with Australia's regional marine planning process and marine science priorities.
          Monitoring Arrangements: Reports on key elements of the initiative will be produced and provided to participating Governments as part of the regular meetings of Forum experts.
          Resources
          Funding Currently Available
          Amount in US$: 0
          Source(s): Government
          Australia has provided policy support and seed funding to establish ATSEF. Continued funding to implement an ATSEF operational plan is expected from the GEF.
          Non-financial resources available
          Type(s):
          Source(s): Government
          In-kind support by donor governments.
          Funding Sought
          Required Amount in US$:
          Source(s) already approached:
          Non-financial resources sought
          Requirement(s):
          Source(s) approached and details:
          Additional Information
          Additional Relevant Information
          Links in with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). There is potential for the Forum to advance the work of MA (funded by World Bank, GEF and Packard Foundation) by fostering linkages between terrestrial ecosystem assessments to be carried out by MA in Indonesia and potential marine ecosystem assessment work through the Forum. In addition, MA may fund a meeting to plan the process with terrestrial groups with the expectation of research funding to follow.