In a key move to show its commitment to ocean protection, the United States has signed an agreement with Indonesia to provide a US$750,000 grant for ocean exploration and climate observation.

The grant is not part of the $40 billion already pledged for capacity building related to Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) projects.

In a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the World Ocean Conference (WOC) and CTI summit here Tuesday, the US also announced it would provide three postgraduate scholarships for senior Indonesian scientists to study in the US.

The grant, which is part of a $1.6 million aid package for the region, will be disbursed over five years for Indonesian ocean research activities and to improve the management of marine and coastal resources in the region.

"This package further solidifies the US commitment to help Indonesia and the region address climate change and marine biodiversity issues," said US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume.

"We look forward to closer cooperation with partners like Indonesia on climate change. Indonesia has shown real leadership by hosting the WOC and we are happy to bring a strong delegation to participate here in Manado."

Signatories to the agreements included Richard Spinrad of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Gellwyn Jusuf, chairman of the Indonesian Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research, and Jana Anggadiredja, deputy chairman of Indonesia's Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).

Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi, US head of delegation for the WOC Mary Glackin, who is also head of NOAA, and US Agency for International Development (USAID) director Walter North witnessed the signing.

North said the agreements "are designed to build capacity, provide training and develop the expertise needed to tackle climate change impacts under the framework of the Coral Triangle Initiative".

The US Embassy said in a statement both USAID and NOAA, as federal US agencies focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere, were a key part of the effort to save coral reefs and oceans in general, and were already partners of the maritime ministry and other Indonesian institutions.

"This is a historic moment for both countries to work together in ocean research and climate monitoring," said minister Freddy.

"We hope to enhance our knowledge on oceans and act to utilize and protect our marine resources."

He added the cooperation between the BPPT and the US agencies would help Indonesia rea-lize the potential of its oceans and utilize them for the benefits of the people.

"Currently, we know little about our oceans, and that's why we benefit little, although we know we have abundant resources there," he said.

"With this deal, we will know more about our own resources."

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