Indonesia
STATEMENT
H.E. LUHUT BINSAR PANDJAITAN
Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs/
Head of Delegate of the Republic of Indonesia
The United Nations Ocean Conference to Support
the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14
United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States
6 JUNE 2017
Mr. Co-President
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
And Friends,
Please allow me to congratulate you Mr. Co-President for your remarkable
efforts to convene this first of its kind ocean conference come to live. Allow me also
to congratulate the President General Assembly of the United Nations, H.E Peter
Thomson for his remarkable efforts and hard work to make this highly important
event possible.
As I addressed this august Conference, let me share with you my understanding
on ocean development from the perspective of the largest archipelagic state in the
world with 6.3 million square km of waters and more than 17,000 islands as well as
the second longest coastline in the world : 99.000 km and the distance between its
eastern most part to western most part is equal to 8 hours direct flying time.
Our oceans and seas face critical challenges from just one source: ourselves.: The
adverse impact of climate change comes from human activities; The oil pollution at
sea, such as oil spill from fixed platform and vessels collisions, comes from human
activities; Marine plastic debris floating like giant islands and eaten by fish and ocean
mammals comes from human activities; Plundering of oceans wealth such as IUU
fishing; Crimes and transnational organized crimes in fisheries sectors come from
human activities; Even destruction of pristine coral reef in the global epicenter of coral
reef biodiversity of Raja Ampat by touristic cruise vessel comes from none other than
human activities.
Indonesia is doing its parts in contributing to the management of its oceans and
seas. The President of the Republic of Indonesia has just launched the Indonesian
Ocean Policy through a presidential decree. In this regard, I would also like take this
opportunity this morning to announce the Indonesian Ocean Policy to this United
Nations Ocean Conference. There are seven pillars of Indonesian Ocean Policy,
namely (1) Management of Marine and Human Resources; (2) Defense, Security, Law
Enforcement and Safety at Sea; (3) Ocean Governance; (4) Prosperity, Economy and
Infrastructure of Marine Sector; (5) Management of the Ocean Space and Protection
of Marine Environment; (6) Maritime Culture; and (7) Maritime Diplomacy. This
Ocean Policy is adopted in time when Indonesian economy is humming at
comfortable 5.3 percent annually, its GDP is over US$1 trillion, foreign exchanges
reserve is the highest since our independence over 70 years ago, and income
inequality has been reduced.
There have been numerous domestic policies coming from the recent
Indonesian Ocean Policy that we believe will also contribute to regional and global
initiatives. They are in the areas that are relevant to our meeting today, namely
marine litter and fisheries.
We are all aware how negative the marine plastic debris have effected our
environment and even our health.
Indonesia has finalized its national plan of action to fight marine plastic debris.
The national plan of action will emphasize on development of bio-plastic from cassava
and seaweed, on waste to energy development and other recycling projects such as
plastic tar road, empowering new grass root initiative such as waste bank, a real
Indonesian innovation, strengthening local governments and also reaching out to
international cooperation. Indonesia has also pledged to reduce marine plastic debris
by 70% within 8 years and also finance a $USO 1 billion program of solid waste
management. The World Bank has worked closely with Indonesia on the development
of this national plan of action.
Under the chairmanship of Indonesia, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
has also discussed in comprehensive manner marine plastic debris floating in Indian
Ocean during the Blue Economy Conference of IORA held in Jakarta, last May. Marine
Plastic Debris was also discussed intensively within the framework of G 20 in Bremen
last week, and the countries of East Asia Summit are also planning to have a regional
conference on marine plastic debris in Indonesia this year. And 21 member economies
of APEC have adopted plan of action on marine plastic debris last year.
On fisheries, we are also all aware that IUU fishing, crimes and transnational
organized crimes in fisheries sectors have decimated countless species and
impoverished coastal communities from Africa to the Pacific. Indonesia has launched
tough measures against IUU Fishing and also adopted a regulation barring slavery or
forced labor in fisheries industries.
I appeal for market countries not to purchase illegally caught fish or fish
managed by slaves or forced labors. Indonesia is also working with neighboring
countries and also market countries, such as EU, US, China, Japan and Korea to
establish regional cooperation instrument against crimes in fisheries sector.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pondered upon our own challenges as archipelagic state with other
archipelagic and island states, big and small. I have come to one conclusion, namely
we are all the same regardless of our level of development or size of our geography.
Indonesia has lost households and coasts due to rising of sea level, as well as natural
disasters such as tsunami. In this regard, I would like to invite islands countries and
archipelagic states, big and small islands, developing or developed, large population
or few thousands, to get together on regular basis to exchange views and experiences
as well as conduct mutual trainings and exercises in managing our oceans together.
Such gathering maybe coined as Archipelagic and Island States Forum, where
government officials, scientists, private sectors and civil societies are part of the
conversation and solution to our common problem.
Finally, the urgency of the achievement of the targets of SDG 14 of the 2030
Agenda is clearly reflected in the deadlines. Five of those deadlines are in 2020, just
three years away; and several others in 2025. In other words, they are all due within
just next eight years. In this regard, in view of the complexity, scope of works and
gravity of the problem we are encountering, it is our view that the establishment of
an office headed by a dedicated Under-Secretary General will enhance coordination
and coherence in the implementation of oceans policy under the UN System, and will
certainly increase the impact on the ground.
I thank you.
H.E. LUHUT BINSAR PANDJAITAN
Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs/
Head of Delegate of the Republic of Indonesia
The United Nations Ocean Conference to Support
the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14
United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States
6 JUNE 2017
Mr. Co-President
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
And Friends,
Please allow me to congratulate you Mr. Co-President for your remarkable
efforts to convene this first of its kind ocean conference come to live. Allow me also
to congratulate the President General Assembly of the United Nations, H.E Peter
Thomson for his remarkable efforts and hard work to make this highly important
event possible.
As I addressed this august Conference, let me share with you my understanding
on ocean development from the perspective of the largest archipelagic state in the
world with 6.3 million square km of waters and more than 17,000 islands as well as
the second longest coastline in the world : 99.000 km and the distance between its
eastern most part to western most part is equal to 8 hours direct flying time.
Our oceans and seas face critical challenges from just one source: ourselves.: The
adverse impact of climate change comes from human activities; The oil pollution at
sea, such as oil spill from fixed platform and vessels collisions, comes from human
activities; Marine plastic debris floating like giant islands and eaten by fish and ocean
mammals comes from human activities; Plundering of oceans wealth such as IUU
fishing; Crimes and transnational organized crimes in fisheries sectors come from
human activities; Even destruction of pristine coral reef in the global epicenter of coral
reef biodiversity of Raja Ampat by touristic cruise vessel comes from none other than
human activities.
Indonesia is doing its parts in contributing to the management of its oceans and
seas. The President of the Republic of Indonesia has just launched the Indonesian
Ocean Policy through a presidential decree. In this regard, I would also like take this
opportunity this morning to announce the Indonesian Ocean Policy to this United
Nations Ocean Conference. There are seven pillars of Indonesian Ocean Policy,
namely (1) Management of Marine and Human Resources; (2) Defense, Security, Law
Enforcement and Safety at Sea; (3) Ocean Governance; (4) Prosperity, Economy and
Infrastructure of Marine Sector; (5) Management of the Ocean Space and Protection
of Marine Environment; (6) Maritime Culture; and (7) Maritime Diplomacy. This
Ocean Policy is adopted in time when Indonesian economy is humming at
comfortable 5.3 percent annually, its GDP is over US$1 trillion, foreign exchanges
reserve is the highest since our independence over 70 years ago, and income
inequality has been reduced.
There have been numerous domestic policies coming from the recent
Indonesian Ocean Policy that we believe will also contribute to regional and global
initiatives. They are in the areas that are relevant to our meeting today, namely
marine litter and fisheries.
We are all aware how negative the marine plastic debris have effected our
environment and even our health.
Indonesia has finalized its national plan of action to fight marine plastic debris.
The national plan of action will emphasize on development of bio-plastic from cassava
and seaweed, on waste to energy development and other recycling projects such as
plastic tar road, empowering new grass root initiative such as waste bank, a real
Indonesian innovation, strengthening local governments and also reaching out to
international cooperation. Indonesia has also pledged to reduce marine plastic debris
by 70% within 8 years and also finance a $USO 1 billion program of solid waste
management. The World Bank has worked closely with Indonesia on the development
of this national plan of action.
Under the chairmanship of Indonesia, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
has also discussed in comprehensive manner marine plastic debris floating in Indian
Ocean during the Blue Economy Conference of IORA held in Jakarta, last May. Marine
Plastic Debris was also discussed intensively within the framework of G 20 in Bremen
last week, and the countries of East Asia Summit are also planning to have a regional
conference on marine plastic debris in Indonesia this year. And 21 member economies
of APEC have adopted plan of action on marine plastic debris last year.
On fisheries, we are also all aware that IUU fishing, crimes and transnational
organized crimes in fisheries sectors have decimated countless species and
impoverished coastal communities from Africa to the Pacific. Indonesia has launched
tough measures against IUU Fishing and also adopted a regulation barring slavery or
forced labor in fisheries industries.
I appeal for market countries not to purchase illegally caught fish or fish
managed by slaves or forced labors. Indonesia is also working with neighboring
countries and also market countries, such as EU, US, China, Japan and Korea to
establish regional cooperation instrument against crimes in fisheries sector.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pondered upon our own challenges as archipelagic state with other
archipelagic and island states, big and small. I have come to one conclusion, namely
we are all the same regardless of our level of development or size of our geography.
Indonesia has lost households and coasts due to rising of sea level, as well as natural
disasters such as tsunami. In this regard, I would like to invite islands countries and
archipelagic states, big and small islands, developing or developed, large population
or few thousands, to get together on regular basis to exchange views and experiences
as well as conduct mutual trainings and exercises in managing our oceans together.
Such gathering maybe coined as Archipelagic and Island States Forum, where
government officials, scientists, private sectors and civil societies are part of the
conversation and solution to our common problem.
Finally, the urgency of the achievement of the targets of SDG 14 of the 2030
Agenda is clearly reflected in the deadlines. Five of those deadlines are in 2020, just
three years away; and several others in 2025. In other words, they are all due within
just next eight years. In this regard, in view of the complexity, scope of works and
gravity of the problem we are encountering, it is our view that the establishment of
an office headed by a dedicated Under-Secretary General will enhance coordination
and coherence in the implementation of oceans policy under the UN System, and will
certainly increase the impact on the ground.
I thank you.
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