ID :
346228
Thu, 10/30/2014 - 07:42
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Foreign Ministry To Organize Forum To Discuss Blue Economy Diplomacy

Jakarta, Oct 30 (Antara) - The Indonesian foreign ministry will organize a Foreign Relation Policy Study Forum (FKKLN) titled, "Blue Economy Diplomacy and Maritime Development: Developing Indonesia To Become Maritime Axis" in Surabaya, East Java, on November 4, 2014. The FKKLN is a forum organized for stakeholders to discuss issues related to Indonesian foreign affairs politics, according to the ministry`s press statement. During the upcoming discussion, the forum is expected to come up with recommendations on policies related to foreign relations regarding Indonesia`s plan to position itself as the world`s maritime axis through blue economy diplomacy. The idea to develop Indonesia as a maritime axis is a realization of Indonesia`s geostrategy by utilizing the nation`s maritime assets and applying the blue economy concept. Among the priority programs in the implementation of the blue economy concept are maritime infrastructure development, renewable energy and maritime mineral exploration, and marine tourism promotion. As the world`s largest archipelago, Indonesia is keen to be on the frontlines in mainstreaming the maritime issue and to raise it as a global issue in multilateral forums such as in the UN, ASEAN, Indian Ocean Rim Association, and the Pacific Islands Forum. The programs are in accordance with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo`s vision to revive Indonesia`s past maritime glory. The speakers in the forum will include R. Syarief Widjaja, the maritime affairs and fisheries ministry`s secretary general; Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurti, the foreign ministry`s director of economic cooperation of ASEAN; Djarwo Suryanto, the president director of PT. Indonesian Seaport III operator; Muhammad Firmansyah Arifin, the president director of PT. PAL shipbuilding company; La Nyalla M. Mattalittti, chairman of the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin); and Makmur Keliat, Ph.D. from the University of Indonesia`s International Development Department. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi had earlier said she would push for the realization of the vision to make Indonesia the world`s maritime axis. The concept would be put forward in bilateral, regional, and international meetings in a bid to realize the maritime vision of the government, Retno noted on Wednesday. "We will seek to carry out the programs and mission given by the president and push for their realization," she remarked in her first news conference as the new foreign minister. She emphasized that the issue would be raised in several international meetings such as the ASEAN summit to be held in Myanmar, on Nov. 12-13, 2014.

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