Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Governments of Indonesia and South Korea held an annual Joint Commission meeting to intensify maritime and technological cooperation with discussions regarding climate change mitigation, blue economy, and marine aquaculture technology.
Acting Deputy for Coordination of Maritime Resources from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Mochammad Firman Hidayat, stated that Indonesia has a broad and diverse blue carbon ecosystem, with the potential to reach 3.4 gigatons, or around 17 percent of the world's blue carbon reservoir.
"With this huge carbon potential, Indonesia is expected to expand its maritime-based cooperation as a form of climate change mitigation efforts," Hidayat noted in a statement received here, Tuesday.
He called on the two countries to intensify cooperation in the form of joint research and other collaborative projects related to the protection and expansion of blue carbon ecosystems to achieve the targets of carbon neutrality.
Regarding a sustainable blue economy, Indonesia is committed to supporting sustainable marine management that balances food security and business objectives with sustainability and its long-term impact on marine ecology, he remarked.
Delegates that attended the meeting said that with the vast area of Indonesian waters, cooperation in the use of technology related to marine spatial planning in the form of geographic information systems and remote sensing analysis can accelerate the achievement of better marine management in Indonesia.
South Korea, which has clocked several achievements in technological progress, is considered to be the right partner for Indonesia to support the development of the blue economy, he affirmed.
Furthermore, the meeting discussed issues, such as capacity building and technology for marine cultivation and expanding the scope of cooperation in the field of marine biology, which is also deemed necessary to support the main program, Hidayat elaborated.
He noted that the meeting aimed at continuing and expanding the role of the South Korea-Indonesia Marine Technology Cooperation Research Center (MTCRC) as the main goal of the cooperation.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration would help both countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of Life Below Water.
Meanwhile, Deputy for Maritime Policy from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of South Korea, Song Myeongdal, urged the Indonesian Government to continue the support that has been given in intensifying bilateral cooperation in the maritime sector.
Related news: Prioritize science and technology to tap marine potential: Ministry
Related news: Indonesia should drive innovations in marine sector: ex-BRIN head
Related news: Marine Ministry focusing on five blue economy programs
