Indonesia Launches Ocean Centre, Strengthening Blue Economy and Ocean Governance

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia officially launched the Ocean Centre as part of the global Ocean Stewardship Coalition initiative initiated by UN Global Compact, in Jakarta, Tuesday (15/7/2025). The launch marks Indonesia's commitment to strengthen maritime safety, the blue economy, and sustainable maritime governance through cross-sector collaboration.

The launch event in Jakarta was held by UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN) with strategic support from the Ministry of PPN/BAPPENAS. Various stakeholders are present in the activity, ranging from the government, business operators, academics, trade unions, to the financial sector.

Deputy Minister of PPN/Deputy Head of Bappenas Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard affirmed that marine security and environmental sustainability are the foundations of Indonesia's blue economy.

“Ocean Centre Indonesia is an important platform for bringing together expertise and commitment across sectors in one concrete collaborative framework,” Febrian said.

Deputy for Food, SDA, and Environment of the Ministry of PPN/BAPPENAS, Leonardo AAT Sambodo, called the launch of Ocean Centre in line with Indonesia's Blue Economy Roadmap 2023—2045. He also encouraged the active involvement of all parties in this initiative.

The Ocean Centre is a long-term programme of the UN Global Compact and Lloyd's Register Foundation, aimed at addressing marine safety challenges locally in seven countries, namely Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Dagmara Karbowska, Senior Programme Manager at Lloyd's Register Foundation, said marine safety was a fundamental precondition for creating an inclusive and sustainable marine economy.

Meanwhile, Erik Giercksky of the UN Global Compact affirmed the Ocean Centre's role as a catalyst platform for cross-sector collaboration. “The presence of this centre in Indonesia is an important part of the global commitment to accelerate maritime transformation,” he said.

Ocean Centre Indonesia will focus on four priority areas, namely ports and shipping, fisheries catching and aquaculture, offshore renewable energy, and finance and investment. Selection of this focus is based on national needs and results of multiparty consultations.

IGCN Executive Director Josephine Satyono stressed the importance of placing safety and sustainability as a fundamental value in the management of the marine sector. “We are not only building a stronger industry, but also a fairer and more resilient future,” he said.

The launch was also marked by a symbolic ceremony between Bappenas and IGCN, declarations of support from major companies, as well as panel dialogues involving industry actors, regulators, academics, NGOs, and workers' associations.

IGCN President YW Junardy closed the event with a solicitation to strengthen collaboration. “Systemic change can only occur when it is done collectively and inclusively,” he said.