"To maintain security and stability, we need to find the best way to advocate in maintaining agreements on the implementation of national borders with neighboring countries," stated Indra Rosandry, Director of Law, Political and Security Agreements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the meeting.
The issue of rising sea levels is one of the concerns of the 47 AALCO member countries, including Indonesia.
Rising sea levels can affect a country's external border since the border is measured from the country's baseline.
Rosandry noted that Indonesia, with more than 17,000 small islands, sees rising sea levels as a real threat.
The chair of the Indonesian delegation at the 61st AALCO meeting stated that Indonesia encourages AALCO member countries to carefully identify the relationship between maritime law and the issue of sea level rise.
Hence, during the meeting in Bali, Indonesia paid special attention to legal certainty and legal balance in responding to rising sea levels due to global warming.
According to the 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, sea levels are projected to rise by around 41-101 cm by 2100.
Rosandry said that Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world, and the sea plays an important role in supporting various aspects of life.
"On the other hand, the large area of Indonesia's oceans can also pose risks due to climate change, especially sea level rise," he stated.
During the event, the Indonesian delegation expressed hope that the principles of certainty, security, and preserving the balance of rights and obligations would be maintained.
Related news: Indonesia seeks inclusion of illegal fishing as transnational crime
Related news: Indonesia to encourage AALCO to include illegal wildlife trade as TOC
Translator: Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna, Cindy Frishanti Octavi
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
