Indonesia co-chairs world’s first ocean conference

Arif Gunawan Sulistiyono The Jakarta Post 6 Jun 17;

Indonesia has been chosen as one of the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference vice presidents, marking its strategic position in supporting the world’s ocean conservation and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The maiden Ocean Conference event, held from 5 to 9 June, 2017, adopted the theme of “Our Oceans, Our Future: Partnering for the Implementation of sustainable development goal [SDG] 14.”

Four world leaders, 1 vice president, 4 prime ministers, 1 royal prince, 1 deputy prime minister, 42 ministers, 6 vice ministers, and 46 international organizations are attending the event.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan — who leads the Indonesian delegation along with Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti — is representing Indonesia as the vice president of the conference and will lead several events at the conference.

“The Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister’s role as the vice president and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister's presence at the conference indicates that Indonesia is serious about conserving the oceans, the seas, and the resources beneath,” said Indonesian Ambassador to the UN Dian Triansyah Djani in New York, Monday.

During the conference, Indonesia — in cooperation with Norway, Timor Leste, Interpol, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime {UNODC) — will hold three side-events to share its experience in dealing with the IUU fishing.

Indonesia has included the topic, along with coral conservation and marine debris, as part of nine voluntary commitments to achieve the SDG agenda and will present them at the event. (ags)