Marves - Jakarta, Officials from the United Nations, the Indonesian government and international development partners kicked off a new initiative this week to support Indonesia in the implementation of its Blue Agenda, and develop a more sustainable ocean economy growth.

A sustainable ocean economy is vital for Indonesia, as well as for other coastal nations. It contributes to higher revenues from ocean-based activities, which channel back into ocean conservation, encourage sustainable livelihoods and blue foods for coastal communities, and preserve ocean biodiversity with a recovering ocean and coastal ecosystem.

Jodi Mahardi, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Maritime Resources at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs (Kemenko Marvest), said: “We and the UN are working together to build a strategic partnership on encouraging the acceleration of development in the field of maritime resources sustainably in accordance with the government's main objectives. We appreciate assistance to the Government of Indonesia in accelerating the achievement of government development targets, both short and medium terms in the maritime sector.”

The UN Resident Coordinator for Indonesia, Valerie Julliand, said: “Healthy oceans are critical to humanity’s survival. The UN system in Indonesia is pleased to join forces with the government and development partners to build a sustainable ocean economy”. She emphasised the “three Cs” – coordination, collaboration and commitment – to ensure that the work of all players is complementary, effective and efficient and contributing significantly to the government's Mid-term National Development Plan’s targets related to marine resources. It can also support unleashing the country’s blue economy potential in achieving the SDGs.

Under the National Blue Agenda Actions Partnership, Kemenko Marvest and the UN team in Indonesia are working closely with other relevant ministries and government agencies as well as the diplomatic community in support of Indonesia’s role as a global leader on the Blue Agenda.

The blue agenda seeks to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors. The coordinated strategic support for Indonesia by the UN will focus on all four pillars: blue health, blue food, blue innovation and blue finances.

Deputy Mahardi urged relevant stakeholders to join the Partnership, which is scheduled to be launched on 14 November at Ocean 20 side event to the G20 summit in Bali.

Communication Burreau

Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment