Nusa Dua (Greeners) – Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan, encourage all participants to collaborate to protect oceans, on his closing remarks for the 2018 Our Ocean Conference, in Nusa Dua, Bali.
“Oceans are future. Ninety five percent of world’s oceans have yet to be explored. We need to treat our oceans, carefully. We need to protect it because there are no countries, no organizations can solve these problems without collaboration,” said Minister Luhut on his remarks, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday (30/10/2018).
Furthermore, Minister Luhut also said to make use the networks gained from the conference to solve the issue.
“When I was in the military, I used to think that land is the King but now I am certain that ocean is the Queen. For those who understand chess [game] knows that Queen is ‘the main actor’,” he said.
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Furthermore, Minister Luhut said that collaboration on ocean issues is a collective action in research, technology and innovation, policy, finance, and other knowledge. He said that war against plastic pollution in oceans needs coordination and consistent policy.
“There are no countries and no organizations can solve the issue with massive support. It is not enough to meet and chat. There is the need for huge support but the support can only be achieved with real actions,” he said.
He said there are opportunities for East Asia Summit member countries to collaborate. The Summit has 18 member countries, such as ASEAN countries, — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam –, and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, US, and Russia.
“During the EAS meeting, we discuss on how to tackle plastic waste issue. Indonesia is the largest country for plastic [waste] will turn into the champion of plastic waste solution in the future,” he said.
READ ALSO: Minister Susi: We Need Oceans More than Oceans Need Us
At the closing ceremony of the 2018 OOC, Indonesia handed over the host of the conference to Norway marked by gave Pinisi souvenir from Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi to Minister of Fisheries and Marine Noway, Harald T. Nesvik.
The 2019 Our Ocean Conference will be held in Norway, on October 24-25.
“Today, I handed over the host to Norway. I know that OOC is in good hands. I know how much Norway cares and loves oceans as I used to be ambassador for Norway. I know Norway’s commitment on environment, fisheries and oceans issues. To mark the handover, I want to give Pinisi boat as the symbol of Indonesians maritime journey and our commitment on oceans issues and friendships,” said Minister Retno.
Reports by Dewi Purningsih
21 Apr 2024 
