Agreement signed between Monaco and the Republic of Indonesia

Mr Patrick Rampal, Chairman of the Monaco Scientific Centre, and Mr Brahmantya Satyamurti Poerwadi, Director General of Marine Spatial Management (Indonesia).

Behind the signatories, from left to right: Mr Christian Ceyssac, Government Commissioner at the Monaco Scientific Centre, Ms Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Ms Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries © Government Communication Department / Michael Alési

During the General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) on Thursday 6 December, Mr Brahmantya Satyamurti Poerwadi, Director General of Marine Spatial Management (Indonesia), and Mr Patrick Rampal, Chairman of the Monaco Scientific Centre, signed a letter of intent between the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Monaco Scientific Centre. The ceremony was attended by Ms Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Ms Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Monegasque Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

The signing of this agreement follows on from the bilateral meeting between the President of the Republic of Indonesia and H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince in Bali on 29 October and aims to establish cooperation between the two countries on coral reef research and conservation with a focus on:

• understanding the impact and chronology of marine pollution using corals as indicators
• identifying bleached and/or damaged coral reefs
• studying the climatic variability of ocean acidification and past climates with the help of corals as indicators
• monitoring and rehabilitating coral reefs
• conducting capacity building and arranging visits by researchers and experts

These types of cooperation will be implemented through an agreement to be reached between the parties.