Jakarta, (Antara) - The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) has appreciated Indonesia for its commitment to coral reef management and takes Indonesia as an example in coral reef sustainable development, an environmental official said.
"We have the commitment to cooperate through national, regional and international levels in preserving and developing coral reefs in a sustainable manner," Suseno Sukoyono, an expert staff of the maritime and fisheries minister, said in a press release here on Sunday.
He said the international world appreciated the commitment of the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) in managing corral reefs in its waters.
Suseno represented Indonesia in the UN environment forum which was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 24, 2016.
In the forum, Indonesia got appreciation as an exemplary country on sustainable coral reef management from 100 state delegates and civil societies.
He said Indonesia's draft resolution on coral reef management was very important because it was in line with the 2013 development agenda and sustainable development coals.
"It is expected to contribute to the food resilience and the people's livelihood," he said.
In the meantime, Director General for Maritime Spatial Management of the KKP Brahmantya said through the sustainable Marine Protected Area (MPA) program, Indonesia could prove its protection of biodiversity which has positive impact on the continuation of the people's livelihood in the coastal areas.
"We have made 17.3 million hectares of maritime areas as protection region. We have set a target at 20 million hectares up to 2020. It is part of Indonesia's commitment to accomplishing its Aichi Biodiversity Targets," Brahmantya said.
Indonesia also initiated a draft resolution on the sustainable coral reefs management. "This is to showcase Indonesia's existence as an example in sustainable coral reef management."
Indonesia hosted the World Ocean Conference in 2009 and the World Coral Reefs Conference in 2014. It also initiated a multilateral partnership with five other Asia Pacific countries.(*)
