VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia commemorates Nusantara Day every 13 December. The history of Nusantara Day began with the declaration of the then Indonesian Prime Minister, Djuanda Kartawidjaja, on December 13, 1957 regarding Indonesia's maritime boundaries. This statement which became known as the Djuanda Declaration stated to the world that the Indonesian seas include the surrounding seas, between and within the Indonesian archipelago, becoming a unitary territory of the Republic of Indonesia -NKRI.

Legally, the designation of Indonesia as an archipelagic country as well as a maritime country is stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea -UNCLOS 1982. Through this, Indonesia's area was increased to 5.8 million square kilometers consisting of the territorial sea and inland waters covering 3.1 million square kilometers and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 2 million square kilometers.

As the largest archipelagic country in the world, which has the second longest coastline in the worldafter Canada, or along 108,000 km, Indonesia has excellent potential, from geo-political, geo-strategic and geo-economic points of view. Indonesia also has abundant marine natural resources, both living and non-living resources and marine services that have not been optimally exploited.

Indonesia's maritime potential has an important role in restoring Indonesia's unstable economy since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020. This maritime potential is not only the marine and fisheries sector but also the potential for marine tourism, which needs to be improved even amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, the presence of digital technology also plays a major role in boosting and introducing marine potential, both marine and fishery products as well as the potential for marine tourism. Fisheriescommunities and marine tourism businesses can also use digital technology to introduce products, seek opportunities and plan marine tourism trips. This is in accordance with the theme of Nusantara Day 2020, namely "Strengthening Maritime Culture for the Increasing Economy of the Digital Age".

Hopefully, the 2020 Nusantara Day can bring new strength and solidarity to the Indonesian people in introducing Indonesia's maritime potential. So, it can rebuild the national economy amid the pandemic.