Development of Blue Economy in Indonesia
Blue economy, as a concept that focuses on the sustainable utilisation of marine resources, has become an important priority in Indonesia’s development agenda. The archipelagic nation, which has abundant ocean area and huge maritime potential, is committed to advancing this sector as a pillar of future economic growth.
In an effort to realise this vision, the government has undertaken a series of activities in 2024 as follows. First, the World Water Forum Parallel Event 2024 was held.
One of the significant steps in the development of the blue economy in Indonesia is the organisation of the World Water Forum 2024 parallel event. This forum serves as a global platform for sharing knowledge, innovations and best practices in water resources management, including the maritime sector.
By organising this event, Indonesia not only demonstrated its role in the international arena but also gained useful insights to develop blue economy policies and strategies at the national level.
Second, Drafting a Ministerial Decree on the Blue Economy Development Programme. The next step is the drafting of a Ministerial Decree that regulates the blue economy development programme. This decree is a concrete step in defining the policy direction and strategy to advance the blue economy sector.
With clear regulations in place, blue economy development can be carried out in a planned and integrated manner, strengthening the legal and institutional framework needed to support the growth of the sector.
Third, the Indonesian Blue Economy Index in the RPJMN and RPJMD. The Indonesian Blue Economy Index has been integrated into the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD).
This integration shows that the blue economy is not only a national focus, but also part of regional development plans. This is important to ensure that blue economy policies and strategies can be effectively implemented at various levels of government, from the centre to the regions.
Fourth, the aquatic food assessment. Aquatic food assessment is also an important component of blue economy development. By evaluating the potential and sustainability of aquatic food sources, Indonesia can optimise the utilisation of aquatic resources to improve national food security. The assessment provides the scientific basis and data needed to formulate policies that support the sustainable management of aquatic resources.
The outputs of these activities include the implementation of the Policy Directions, Strategies and Action Plans of the first phase of the Indonesia Blue Economy Roadmap (IBER) at the national and regional levels. The Roadmap serves as a strategic guide to direct the overall development of the blue economy.
In addition, this activity also provides significant benefits in terms of synchronisation between ministries, agencies and regions. Good coordination between these various parties is important to ensure that blue economy policies and programmes can be implemented effectively. These policy-driven blue economy practices have the potential to become a new source of sustainable growth in the region, providing economic benefits while protecting marine ecosystems.
Source: Bappenas
