VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Leaders from 14 countries, including Indonesia, expressed their commitment to fully sustainable marine management, to address global challenges, through the launch of a new action agenda from the High-Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economics (Ocean Panel).

In a written statement from the Ocean Panel Secretariat received in Jakarta, Thursday, leaders from Indonesia, Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Palau, and Portugal affirmed their management commitment to the sustainability of their nearly 30 million square km of national waters by 2025.

“Indonesia believes in sustainable marine management. The abundant maritime resources that we have will support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and become a foundation for more sustainable development in the future," President Joko Widodo said at the Ocean Panel statement.

Heads of state pledged to put healthy seas at the top of global policy agendas to accelerate the recovery of the economy hit by the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Apart from that, the President also affirmed his commitment to make Indonesia the world's maritime axis, "by adhering to the motto 'Jalasveva Jayamahe'; Our Glory is at the Ocean."

The agenda document 'Transformation for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: A Vision for Protection, Empowerment and Prosperity' was launched by the 14 countries on Wednesday (2/12), and includes 74 priority actions that focus on five areas, namely marine wealth, marine health, marine justice, marine knowledge, and marine finance.

The new ocean action agenda, if achieved, is said to help produce six times more food than marine sources, generate 40 times more renewable energy, lift millions of people out of poverty, and contribute to one-fifth of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions needed to keep the rise Earth's temperature does not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“The launch of the Transformation document is an excellent start to guide us all in managing our oceans sustainably. The Sea Panel must be the driving force to revive the mental revolution to protect the sea," said Jokowi.

Ocean Panel members also encourage leaders of coastal and marine states around the world to join in on a commitment to achieve the 100 percent goal, so that the entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is managed sustainably by 2030. (Antaranews)