This statement was conveyed by Deputy Basilio, representing Indonesia at the Ocean Panel Leader Meeting, High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (HLP SOE) in the UNFCCC COP-26 agenda series in Glasgow, Scotland, on Tuesday (Nov 2).
According to a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, Deputy for Coordination of Maritime Sovereignty and Energy, Basilio Dias Araujo, drew attention to the two main challenges currently being faced in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impacts for which strategic steps to ensure concrete recovery are deemed necessary to address them.
“First, we must accelerate our economic recovery through a sustainable ocean-based economy, as envisaged in the Sustainable Ocean Plans by 2025,” Deputy Basilio affirmed.
Recovering the economy is replete with challenges, as according to the IMF estimates, the global economic growth had declined, from -3 percent to -4.9 percent in 2020.
“To this end, we must work together stronger, so that the Ocean Panel member states’ economy can grow back faster,” Deputy Basilio remarked.
Deputy Basilio also expressed Indonesia's readiness to lead the realization of the strategic agenda for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
This will clearly be supported by world leaders in the upcoming G20 agenda in 2022 and ASEAN in 2023 where Indonesia will be the leader and host for the two prestigious organizations.
“Second, we must strengthen regional and international cooperation,” Deputy Basilio affirmed.
Indonesia has committed to transitioning to a low-carbon economy through funding to build clean energy plants.
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“We are working with the local governments and private sector to collaborate for the feasibility of the early retirement of existing coal-fired power plants,” he stated.
According to Deputy Basilio, the arrangements for "transformation" must be conducted in a careful, measured and gradual manner.
Deputy Basilio is confident that a series of priority actions would immediately reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, thereby contributing significantly to marine health and the economy of coastal communities and fishermen depending on marine resources.
Lastly, Deputy Basilio believes that the Leaders Meeting on a Sustainable Ocean Economy offers a strategic momentum and plays an important role in intensifying cooperation between countries and boosting economic recovery as well as maintaining marine sustainability in line with the Sustainable Development Goals target, especially target #14.
“The Declaration by the Leaders for a Sustainable Ocean Economy at this year's COP-26 clearly has strategic political value. This statement will be a new strength, new hope for our economic recovery and marine resilience after COVID-19," Deputy Basilio remarked.
HLP SOE is a forum initiated by the prime minister of Norway in 2018 with 14 member countries: Norway, Palau, Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, and Indonesia.
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Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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