"As a country with more than 17,000 islands, the Indonesian people must be able to see and understand that our identity, prosperity, and future will be determined by how we manage the oceans," Jokowi said.
Nay Pyi Taw (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo explained his development agenda to make Indonesia a world maritime axis at the East Asia Summit (EAS) here on Thursday.

"Indonesia wishes to become a world maritime axis that connects two oceans, and it wants to emerge as a respected and prosperous maritime country," he said.

To meet the goal, he noted, Indonesia will rebuild its maritime culture.

"As a country with more than 17,000 islands, the Indonesian people must be able to see and understand that our identity, prosperity, and future will be determined by how we manage the oceans," he said.

He stated the government was committed to safeguarding and managing marine resources with its focus on achieving marine food sovereignty through the development of the fisheries industry with fishermen as the main pillar.

"Our maritime wealth will be exploited for the greatest benefit of our people," he affirmed.

President Joko Widodo, who was inaugurated on October 20 to replace former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono following his presidential election victory, pointed out that his government will also commit itself to boosting infrastructure development and maritime connectivity by developing a "sea toll road," deep ocean ports, logistics and shipping industry as well as maritime tourism.

Indonesia will invite partners to cooperate in developing its marine sector, he added.

"Together we must be able to wipe out the sources of conflict in the sea such as poaching, intrusion, territorial dispute, piracy, and pollution," he said.

Another agenda is to build a maritime defense force, he revealed.

"This is needed not only to protect our sovereignty and maritime wealth but it is also our responsibility to ensure maritime and shipping security and safety," he emphasized.

The 9th EAS began with an opening speech by the host, Myanmar President U Thein Sein.

Before the meeting, President Joko Widodo had a group photo session with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese premier Shinzo Abe.

Ten heads of state and government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attended the meeting. They are President Joko Widodo, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Laos Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Filipino President Benigno Aquino III, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan O Cha, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Other leaders who attended the meeting included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, New Zealands Prime Minister John Key, and US President Barack Obama.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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