"I commend peers from ASEAN member countries that have shown commitment to push for significant measures in formulating the ASEAN Blue Economic Framework as a priority economic result throughout Indonesia's leadership in ASEAN 2023," deputy of economic affairs at the ministry Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti stated during the 2023 ASEAN Blue Economy Forum in Tanjung Pandan, Bangka Belitung Islands, on Monday.
The ASEAN Blue Economic Framework serves as a platform to establish common perception and plans in promoting blue economy in the ASEAN as the new driving force in economy that employs principles, such as added value, inclusiveness, and sustainability, while also taking into account the traditional aspect, she elaborated.
Widyasanti noted that initially, under the High-Level Task Force of Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) agenda, her administration had issued a concept note pertaining to blue economy as a prioritized type of economy.
A discussion was also conducted at the 43rd HLTF-EI, in which the draft of the framework was elaborated through inputs and suggestions from member countries, she affirmed. The draft will be discussed further on Monday, she added.
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The 2023 ASEAN Blue Economy Forum on Monday comprises the main event, two side events, as well as site visits to some geoparks in Bangka Belitung, Widyasanti noted.
"The main event for today is the launch of the Indonesia Blue Economy Road Map. Indonesia Blue Economy Road Map will serve as a showcase, one showcase of blue economy in the ASEAN region," she elaborated.
The discussion of the framework's draft involves ministers of ASEAN countries and international experts, she noted. During the side event later on in the evening, two working-level sessions will be held, with focus on collaboration in blue economy as well as blue finance, she pointed out.
"These sessions will allow us to have a better understanding of the practical aspects of collaboration, including funding for blue economy projects," Widyasanti affirmed.
She urged everyone to use the forum as an opportunity to give a meaningful impact to ASEAN's future through the exchange of knowledge and experiences as well as establishing better networking.
"I am happy to announce that we have some participants in this event. For your information, there are 645 guests, who registered for the geo-adventure event and 288 participants for the main event scheduled for today, and a total of 233 participants for two side events," she revealed.
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Translator: M Baqir Idrus Alatas, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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