Indonesia Expects Concrete Commitments from Our Ocean Conference

The 2018 Our Ocean Conference – held at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on 29-30 October 2018 – is an important event for the Indonesian Government.

Indonesia is the first country to organize the conference in Asia.

“This is a proof that Indonesia has been recognized by the world because of our role in fighting for the issue of sovereignty and sea rights through maritime diplomacy and domestic policy,” press release of Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on Saturday (27/10) stated.

By hosting OOC 2018, Indonesia will demonstrate its leadership in the international maritime affairs and fisheries, especially in dealing with threats to the Indonesian sea.

“The sustainable blue economy and various other action plans that are planned in an effort to increase the economic benefits of the sea and prevent damage to the sea are the benefits for Indonesia in organizing the 2018 OOC,” the press release added.

The 2018 OOC is also an ocean diplomacy investment and there are at least six areas of action that will be carried out in the implementation of the 2018 OOC, namely sustainable fisheries, marine protected area, marine pollution, climate change, sustainable blue economy, and maritime security.

The discussion of the six items will be conducted in a plenary, side events, ocean talks, and the ocean youth leadership summit, all of which are expected to produce concrete commitments.

There are already seven heads of state and government, 37 ministers and 2,200 delegates who confirm attendance at the conference, which is held in collaboration between Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Adopting the theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Legacy’, Indonesia expects concrete commitments with measurable parameters from the conference to prioritize the principle of sustainability of marine resources and marine health to prepare a legacy for future generations. “(We expect) the commitment of participating countries on how to promote the ocean, how to protect the ocean, how to address issues related to the ocean,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said.

A total of 663 commitments were delivered by various countries aimed at six areas of action on the previous conference. However, only 206 commitments have been considered complete. Therefore, Indonesia will hold a special meeting with the previous and future OOC organizers to discuss steps that need to be taken in monitoring the implementation of commitments in each country.

In the meantime, to ensure this commitment is carried out as it should, a review mechanism will be made in the 2018 OOC to measure and control how far these commitments are implemented. “The conference shall be followed by concrete actions,” Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti said.

The Indonesian Government also invites all elements of society to participate in the conference to raise public awareness on the importance of marine issues in Indonesia.

Collaborating with various private and government agencies, the OOC has also carried out a series of talk shows, Our Ocean Photo Competition, in collaboration with the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Our Ocean Film Festival and ended by beach clean-up that will held simultaneously throughout Indonesia on 28 October 2018, at 06:00 West Indonesian Time.

Through this collaboration, Indonesia is committed to ensuring the success of OOC 2018, which focuses on ecological sustainability to safeguard and restore the sea with economic approaches for the sake of the entire population of the world. (Biro Humas dan Kerjasama Luar Negeri KKP/EN)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono

Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas