"Local governments must have an awareness of the importance of developing the oceans for the future of the nation," Fadel said.
The commemoration was also a momentum for people to contemplate, initiate, and take steps to deal with challenges faced by the global community concerning the ocean.
Oceans have important functions for food security, nutrition security, health and life survival, according to him.
He said oceans have power to affect climate and the Earth directly and indirectly . In daily activities, we enjoy the marine services, such as for transportation, consumption, and recreation.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Poernomo Yusgiantoro said the archipelago security can be synergized with the use of small islands to protect the waters.
Small islands in border regions have double functions, such as marine security and development of economic potential in those region.
Poernomo said as many as 12 islands in border regions such as Nipah Island, Miangas Island, and Berhala Island have been given priorities for the double functions.
Since the past few years, the world has been forced to deal with piracy and armed robbery crimes especially in Somalia Waters.
The role of oceans as trading route is very important because 90% transportation of goods in the world is through oceans.
"Therefore, marine security is important to support economic activities in these regions," he said.
Indonesia is the biggest archipelagic country in the world. Around 70% its territory is waters and it has 17,480 islands.
Given this geographic fact, Indonesia has done two strategic things, namely issuing Juanda Declaration on December 13, 1957, which stated that the inland ocean is a jurisdiction area of the Republic of Indonesia.
Second, the country amended the 1945 Constitution (UUD) in 2000 stressing in the article 25A that "the Republic of Indonesia is an archipelagic country".
It means that the state budget should be prepared based on the concept of the "Archipelagic State", rather than today`s system, said Rompas Max Rompas, the secretary of the National Marine Council (Dekin).
On the occasion, Archipelago Day 2011 will be inaugurated in Dumai, Province of Riau and the Ministry of Defense and Security is the chair to host this event. The discussion panel which brings the topic of "discuss, initiate, `sue` the implementation of the Constitution of 1945 amendment, article 25A which was set by the People`s Consultative Assembly in 2000".
This discussion panel was attended by Anna Mu`awanah ( Vice Chairman of Commision IV DPR-RI) and Professor Jimly Asshidiqie (Legal Expert of State Administration), moderated by Mukhlis Yusuf, Managing Director of ANTARA News Agency.
For further information, please contact Dr.Yulistyo Mudho, M.Sc, Head of Data, Statistics and Information Center, The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Mobile 0811836967).
(Uu.F001/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
