CTC joined a community of partners to highlight successful ocean conservation and blue economy initiatives at the first ever Bali Ocean Days Conference held on January 19-20, 2024. The inaugural launch of what aims to become an annual international marine conservation event aims to promote environmental sustainability in Indonesia and beyond.

During the event, CTC Executive Director Rili Djohani spoke about Sustainable Tourism, Conservation Coral Reefs and Marine Biodiversity. She also discussed about other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) governance and the role of communities in the management and effectiveness of conservation areas became discussion points in this session.

Bali Ocean Days was organized by Sky Blue Sea Foundation and organized by Darmawan & Associates and has been developed in partnership with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs and the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum. During the conference and the accompanying Blue Ocean Days Showcase Exhibition, key government officials, institutional finance managers, sustainable economy stakeholders, environmental NGOs, academics, and business leaders all joined to share successful initiatives recover, rebuild, and sustain ocean environments.

The Bali Ocean Days Conference facilitated the exchange of ideas, strategies, and local and international initiatives between high-ranking officials, Blue Economy stakeholders, NGOs, academics, and ocean lovers. Organizers have compiled a conference where local community members, industry, and public sector officials will mutually inspire through exchanging insights, research, and technological means available to clean up our rivers, streams, and oceans essential to the planet’s future.

Some of the speakers included Mr. Jodi Mahardi, Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs. Mr. Mahardi shared details on Indonesia’s success in launching the world’s first publicly offered sovereign blue bond, as a sustainable finance tool for economic growth, environmental preservation, and safeguarding of unique maritime ecosystems.

One of the featured speakers was Dr. I Nyoman Radiarta, Chairman of the Marine and Fisheries Extension and Human Resources Development Agency. Dr. Radiarta  discussed government policy programs to expand marine protected areas, implementation of quota-based fishing, reduction of plastic waste, and optimization of technology available to the fishing industry.

It also featured Mrs. Vivi Yulaswati, Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources of the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS). She explained about the Indonesian Blue Economy Roadmap 2023-2045 which supports coordinated sectoral growth in renewable energy, biotechnology, marine conservation, and sustainable management of ecosystems. She also talked about Indonesia’s targets to expand coverage of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) to 30% of its waters, growth in the maritime sector to become 15% of the GDP, and for the marine sector to generate 12% of all employment.

It also included Mr. Edi Frommenwiler, Founder of Pindito Cruises and the Grand Blue Project. An online video library archive of marine biodiversity in Indonesia also featured in CTC’s Center for Marine Conservation.

The two-day event culminated with The Sky Blue Sea Foundation Awards, a honors ceremony developed in cooperation with the AIS (Archipelagic & Island States) Blue Startup Hub to recognize organizations that have demonstrated exceptional Environmental Sustainability Goals (ESG) for taking significant actions towards the conservation of Indonesia’s marine ecosystems. As a follow up, CTC is also collaborating with the Bali Ocean Days organizers to develop a series of podcasts to share success stories in ocean sustainability.

Photos: Bali Ocean Days