Building a Sustainable Ocean Future through NGO Synergy in the Lesser Sunda Seascape

The Lesser Sunda Seascape (LSS) is a highly vital marine region. Situated at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the LSS is globally recognized as a hotspot for marine biodiversity. This area is rich in coral reefs, fish, and various other marine species. The LSS also serves as a crucial corridor for fish populations and a critical migratory pathway for endangered species such as elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), marine mammals (whales and dolphins), and sea turtles. Beyond its ecological importance, the LSS holds significant cultural and economic relevance, particularly through its fisheries and tourism sectors, which form the backbone of coastal communities' livelihoods in the region.

Despite its immense richness, the LSS faces complex threats  like the impacts of climate change and habitat degradation. The scale and complexity of these conservation challenges cannot be addressed by a single entity. Therefore, collaboration and synergy among organizations are crucial to maximize conservation impact and optimize resource utilization.

Recognizing this urgency, Konservasi Indonesia (KI), through the IKI SOMACORE and MACP Projects, initiated the Lesser Sunda Seascape Partners Meeting. This event was held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Taman Inspirasi dan Warung Muntig Siokan, Denpasar, Bali. The meeting was initiated by Konservasi Indonesia and Conservation International Timor-Leste. Its primary goals were to identify and map NGO partners working in the LSS region, particularly those focused on coastal and marine conservation, in terms of their locations and program focuses , and to explore opportunities for future collaboration and partnerships.

The meeting was attended by approximately 25 NGO representatives from Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Participants brought diverse focuses and expertise, covering crucial issues such as community empowerment, Marine Protected Area (MPA) management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries, species protection, and policy advocacy. Nautika Foundation, actively working in Alor, also participated in this forum.

During the meeting, participants undertook 'mapping' of ongoing and planned initiatives across the LSS region. They also identified priority issues and gaps requiring support from NGO partners. By the end of the Agenda, an action plan for inter-NGO collaboration within the LSS scope was formulated.

From the productive discussions, several key points were agreed upon for a better future for the LSS:

1. Comprehensive Partner Database Development: A unified database of NGOs and their initiatives in the LSS will be developed. This information will be reported to the NCC Secretariats in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, contributing to their CTI-CFF country reports. This is essential for transparency and coordination.

2. Regular Information Sharing Meetings: Partners agreed to hold regular meetings (online/offline) to share program information and collaboration opportunities. This will prevent duplication and optimize resources.

3. Collaboration for Learning Exchange: Collaboration in the exchange of learning related to coastal and marine conservation programs in the LSS will be fostered. This aims to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of all conservation efforts in the LSS.

The partners supported Konservasi Indonesia (KI) to act as the driving force for the NGO alliance in the LSS region for the next 2-3 years. However, it was also emphasized that this forum must be collectively owned and have a sustainable strategy. For instance, each partner is encouraged to allocate a budget to send their representatives to attend annual NGO partner meetings.

This meeting represents a significant step in building a stronger foundation for collaboration within the Lesser Sunda region. For Nautika Foundation and our efforts in Alor, this synergy will strengthen the coastal conservation programs we build together with the community. Through close cooperation, it is hoped that a more integrated, effective, and resilient approach will be realized for a sustainable marine environment for future generations. This also aims to establish the Lesser Sunda Seascape as a robust model for marine conservation through the power of synergy and collaboration.