Virtual platform
Kuala Lumpur, 13-17 June 2022
MIMA successfully conducted a week-long virtual Training Programme on Effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Management under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Malaysia.
The MTCP was launched in 1980 to signify Malaysia’s commitment to South-South Cooperation, in particular, Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC). Since then, Malaysia continues to play an active role in realising its commitment to share its developmental experiences and expertise by providing various human capacity building programmes and technical assistance to 144 developing countries under the South-South cooperation framework, which have benefited more than 35,500 participants to date.
The programme aimed at sharing national experiences and expertise on effective MPAs and MPAs network management with the MTCP recipient countries. In addition to MIMA internal resources, the programme included external resource persons and experts from the federal and state governments, academe, as well as non-governmental organisations, sharing their extensive knowledge and experiences on the management of MPAs. International participants from Brunei, Ghana, Iran, Jordan, Mauritius, Togo, as well as local representatives joined the programme this year.
The programme was officiated by MIMA Chairman, Dato’ Mohamed Suffian Awang
Ms. Siti Aishah Kamarul Abdul Wahid, Assistant Secretary from the MOFA International Cooperation and Development Section, welcomed participants to the programme
The 5-days course included an introduction to MPAs and MPAs network, a specific component on identifying principles underlying the management of MPAs, conflict resolution and facilitation between different stakeholders, policy framework for the development of MPAs, as well as MPAs management strategy and planning framework. Overall, the training introduced MPAs and MPAs network management by providing a better understanding of suitable management models, best practices, as well as the essential need for an integrated science-policy interface in its approach.
A highlight of the overall MPAs management framework in Malaysia was presented during the programme.
Participants gained comprehension of the design and creation of MPAs and MPAs network by learning more about some case studies from Malaysia. They were particularly interested in the policy and legal frameworks on MPAs under the different jurisdictions (state and federal), designing the management plan with specific species conservation measures, as well as the regional and international significance of MPAs and MPAs network in the Coral Triangle region.
Case studies from the different areas in Malaysia were discussed in detail during the programme
Participants were also given the opportunity to discuss the importance of MPAs and MPAs network, designation of MPAs and MPAs management through ecosystem-based approach, in addition to sharing their own national strategies and plans in place on identifying, designating and monitoring of MPAs management strategies through their individual country report presentations.
Participants were also given the opportunity to share their perspectives focusing on the status and plans in place on MPAs in their respective countries.
Datuk Dr. Sabirin Ja’afar, Director General of MIMA delivered his Closing Remarks wishing all the participants the very best in managing related coastal and marine issues through effective implementation of MPAs, and to continue the engagement through the network established under the MTCP platform.
Director General of MIMA, Datuk Dr. Sabirin Ja’afar delivered the Closing Remarks at the programme.
Overall, the programme received encouraging feedback from all the participants. MIMA looks forward to continue to play a pivotal role in continued engagements, to better promote Malaysia’s success stories focusing effective management approaches.