This aerial photo shows residential houses overlooking the Indian Ocean in Bengkulu, Indonesia on May 2, 2021. (ADEK BERRY / AFP)
Indonesia can serve as a model for the development of the blue economy by showcasing how its vast marine resources can be used to lead a sustainable economic recovery, analysts said.
This is even more crucial as the country this year holds the presidency of the Group of 20 meeting. As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia is expected to lead the way in providing concrete actions that will protect the oceans.
The development of the blue economy is “very relevant” to Indonesia as it is one of the biggest maritime economies in the world, according to Fajar Hirawan, head of the Department of Economics at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank in Jakarta
Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) hosted a G20 side event on Sept 7 and 8 to present the nation’s Blue Economy Roadmap.
The blue economy refers to a branch of economics which relates to the exploitation, preservation and regeneration of the world’s marine environment.
Indonesia is encouraging G20 member countries to support joint action in prioritizing low-carbon green and blue economic development.
The development of the blue economy is “very relevant” to Indonesia as it is one of the biggest maritime economies in the world, according to Fajar Hirawan, head of the Department of Economics at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank in Jakarta.
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He said this is the right time to tap into its maritime resources as the Indonesian government is focusing on an economic rebound.
“Indonesia needs to come up with the concrete actions and plans to promote blue economy and show to the world that Indonesia can have a more inclusive and sustainable growth model,” Hirawan said.
The Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative, or IOJI, is also urging the country’s President Joko Widodo to spearhead concrete actions which will protect the world’s oceans through “tangible commitments” that will accelerate the development of a sustainable and equitable ocean economy.
“Indonesia may learn from Mexico and Australia, which earlier established the National Sustainable Ocean Plan. On the other hand, the Ocean Panel members may learn from Indonesia on the commitments and actions to protect blue carbon ecosystems, especially mangroves, in mitigating the global impact of climate change,” the IOJI said in a statement.
Sawidji Widoatmodjo, dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Jakarta-based Tarumanagara University, said promoting the blue economy will allow Indonesia to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs
Sawidji Widoatmodjo, dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Jakarta-based Tarumanagara University, said promoting the blue economy will allow Indonesia to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.
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He said these SDGs include: goal number 8, to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, goal number 14, to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and goal number 17, to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
The SDGs, which were approved in 2015 by 193 member states of the UN, aim to address the world's most pressing problems by 2030.
The 17 goals include ending poverty and hunger, reducing maternal deaths and providing universal access to basic education.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries discussed three blue economy strategies and action plans at the G20 side event, which was held on the island of Belitung in western Indonesia.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries discussed blue economy strategies and action plans at the G20 side event, which was held on the island of Belitung in western Indonesia
These strategies include marine waste management, sustainable management of marine, coastal, and small islands and the expansion of marine conservation areas.
Indonesia currently has 28.4 million hectares of conservation areas that protect the mangrove ecosystems and seagrass beds.
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Widoatmodjo said in order to promote a blue economy, Indonesia needs to learn from its mistakes in managing land-based resources, citing how the country’s logging and coal exports had contributed to deforestation.
From 2002 to 2021, Indonesia lost nearly 10 million hectares of humid primary forest, 11 percent of the total area, according to Global Forest Watch.
Leonardus Jegho in Jakarta contributed to this story.
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