Indonesia’s commitment to protecting 30 percent of its marine area by 2045 continues to move from policy concept to concrete action. In Maluku Province, this commitment has entered a critical phase through efforts to establish a Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for Conservation Area Management. Behind this process, one key actor has played a strategic role: the GEF 6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia.

Implemented through a partnership between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and WWF-US as the GEF Agency, the programme serves not merely as a supporter but as a catalyst for accelerating effective and self-sustaining marine conservation area management. Through financial assistance, technical support, and institutional capacity strengthening, GEF 6 CFI Indonesia is helping ensure that the establishment of the UPTD in Maluku goes beyond administrative requirements and is fully prepared for practical implementation on the ground.

Site visits to assess facilities and infrastructure in support of accelerating the establishment of the conservation area UPTD in Maluku Province, facilitated through the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia grant, Banda (15–19 April 2026).

One tangible example of this support was the facilities and infrastructure assessment conducted from 15–19 April 2026 within the conservation areas of Ay Island and Rhun Island by the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office and the Directorate General of Regional Autonomy of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), accompanied by the Head of the Organizational Bureau of the Maluku Provincial Secretariat, the PMU of GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN). The mission served as an key opportunity to assess regional readiness while aligning priorities among central government, local authorities and development partners.

Prior to the visit, GEF 6 CFI Indonesia actively facilitated a series of multi-stakeholder coordination meetings. Participants included the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, the Organizational Bureau and Legal Bureau of the Provincial Secretariat, as well as partner organizations such as CTC and YKAN. The forum served as a strategic platform for aligning perspectives and formulating concrete actions toward the establishment of the UPTD.

Coordination meeting on the facilities and infrastructure assessment to accelerate the establishment of the conservation area UPTD in Maluku Province, facilitated through GEF 6 CFI Indonesia grant funding, Ambon (13 April 2026).  

Nalika Lewerissa, Secretary of the Maluku Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, emphasised the importance of the assessment visit as part of efforts to accelerate institutional development.

“This facilities and infrastructure assessment is crucial in accelerating the establishment of the conservation area UPTD in Maluku Province. Following the field assessment, we will immediately coordinate the issuance of the UPTD recommendation from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) recommendation from the Governor,” she stated.

Echoing this view, Alwiyah F. Alaydrus, Head of the Organizational Bureau of the Maluku Provincial Secretariat, explained that the recommendation process depends heavily on direct field verification.

“The recommendation can be issued once the field assessment is completed, enabling us to directly evaluate site conditions and identify operational requirements,” she explained.

One of the strongest endorsements for the establishment of the UPTD came from GEF 6 CFI Indonesia. Ahadar Tuhuteru, Knowledge Management and Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist of the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia PMU, described the assessment mission as a strategic and catalytic step that the programme has long championed.

“This visit represents a strategic and accelerated effort toward establishing the conservation area UPTD in Maluku Province. We see the UPTD as a bridge between policy and implementation on the ground, ensuring that the management of conservation areas directly benefits local communities,” he said.

He further emphasised that GEF 6 CFI Indonesia’s support for Maluku is part of a long-term commitment.

 “CFI Indonesia has fully supported efforts to establish a conservation area UPTD in Maluku over the past two years. This is particularly important because Maluku, as an archipelagic province, has a vast management area that requires a dedicated, strong, and focused management institution,” he added.

According to him, the primary challenge in conservation area management lies not only in technical aspects but also in transforming perceptions of conservation itself.

“Going forward, we need to shift the perception of conservation from being viewed as a cost centre to being recognized as a benefit centre. Conservation should no longer be seen merely as an expenditure but as an investment capable of generating economic and social benefits for communities,” he stressed.

This perspective is central to understanding the future direction of conservation policy. Under this new approach, conservation areas function not only as spaces for ecosystem protection but also as drivers of local economic development through sustainable tourism and responsible fisheries.

Facilities and infrastructure assessment in support of accelerating the establishment of the conservation area UPTD in Maluku Province, facilitated through GEF 6 CFI Indonesia grant funding, Ay Island–Banda (15–19 April 2026).

The role of GEF 6 CFI Indonesia in this process is highly strategic, as it brings together stakeholders ranging from national government institutions to local communities within one integrated framework. Beyond financial support, the programme contributes knowledge-based approaches, best practices, and global experience that are relevant to Maluku’s local context.

Through this support, the establishment of the UPTD is expected to strengthen the overall governance of marine conservation areas, including human resource development, sustainable financing mechanisms, and enhanced community participation in the stewardship and sustainable use of conservation areas.

Ultimately, the success of the UPTD establishment will depend not only on regulatory frameworks but also on the synergy of all stakeholders involved. In this regard, GEF 6 CFI Indonesia has demonstrated its role as a key enabler, helping ensure that the process moves forward more rapidly, strategically, and with tangible impact.

If everything is implemented as planned, Maluku will not only become a global hub for marine biodiversity, but will also serve as a model of how conservation can be managed independently and deliver direct benefits to local communities.