"ASEAN has reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation in developing the blue economy," he said during the Jakarta Geopolitical Forum 2024 in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He added that the development of the blue economy in the SCS could be expanded by involving relevant countries, such as China.
According to him, cooperation in developing the blue economy in the SCS region could also support supply chain resilience and industrial growth.
Mansury highlighted three principles adopted in the ASEAN blue economy development framework: value addition, inclusiveness, and sustainability.
The framework is based on the main strategy of the ASEAN blue economy, which covers blue conservation management, blue science, technology, and innovation, and the creation of added value in priority sectors.
The strategic waters play an important role as major shipping routes, with a third of global maritime traffic passing through the region.
The SCS is rich in natural resources, accounting for 12 percent of the world's total fish catch. It is estimated to contain around 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Mansury also highlighted the biodiversity in the SCS, which is home to more than 6,500 marine species, covering 22 percent of the world's fish species and a third of the world's coral reef species.
"Thus, mutually beneficial cooperation rather than conflict and competition will be the main characteristic of the South China Sea," he emphasized.
He expressed hope that the sea will not serve as a divider but as a connector between islands, communities, nations, and countries, fostering a spirit of togetherness to realize peace and shared prosperity.
"This will ensure that it does not become an arena for competition, emphasize differences in geopolitical positions, cause divisions between nations and countries, or become the next battlefield," Mansury added.
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Translator: Putu Indah Savitri, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Anton Santoso
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