The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), in collaboration with the MPA and OECM Consortium consisting of WWF Indonesia, Coral Triangle Center (CTC), RARE Indonesia, Konservasi Indonesia, Pesisir Lestari (Pelestari), and Rekam Nusantara, with support from the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), is introducing its collaborative platform for managing Indonesia’s marine protected areas named the National Committee for Collaborative Management of Marine Protected Areas and the National MPA-OECM Forum. This initiative was introduced during the MPA and OECM Vision 2045 Socialization event held at Hotel Santika, Bogor, on Wednesday (14/5), which served as a prelude to the Indonesia MPA-OECM Symposium 2025, which will be held on May 15–16 at the IPB International Convention Center.

It is worth noting that the Government of Indonesia, through the MMAF, is committed to expanding coastal and marine conservation areas to cover 30% of the country’s total marine area—or around 97.5 million hectares—by 2045, a goal known as the “30 by 45” (30×45) target. To achieve this, the MMAF, along with civil society organizations, universities, and marine conservation experts, is developing the 2045 MPA and OECM Vision Document as a strategic guide to protect biodiversity, promote sustainable fisheries, and address climate change.

As part of this effort, the National Collaboration Committee for Marine Conservation Area Management has been established as a coordinated and adaptive platform for stakeholders. The committee aims to enhance the management effectiveness of formal conservation areas, such as Regional Marine Conservation Areas (KKLD) and Marine Nature Tourism Parks (TWAL), as well as other community-based marine protected areas with conservation potential, known as OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures). In addition, the committee will support national and local governments in developing policies, building capacity, and accessing global support and resources to achieve national conservation targets.

Director of Ecosystem Conservation at the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management, MMAF, Dr. Firdaus Agung explained that the committee’s key functions include developing national and regional work plans aligned with the 2045 MPA Vision, disseminating conservation information widely, strengthening cross-sector coordination, and providing data and technical support for the monitoring and evaluation of conservation areas and OECMs. “With the establishment of this committee, we hope to foster inclusive, participatory, and equitable marine conservation governance, which will create a shared sense of ownership and responsibility,” he stated.

Co-facilitating the formation of this national committee and forum, Executive Director of the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), Rili Djohani stated that this shared platform is envisioned to bridge communication among various conservation actors to ensure the achievement of national targets. “The establishment of this committee and forum demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to address marine conservation challenges with an inclusive and collaborative approach. Through cooperation and evidence-based management, Indonesia will not only expand marine protection coverage but also enhance impactful area management that benefits biodiversity and the well-being of coastal communities,” she said.

Discussions at the event underscored the need to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration in preserving Indonesia’s marine ecosystems. This spirit of synergy is one of the foundations for the “Indonesia MPA-OECM Symposium 2025”, a national symposium that serves as an open forum for sharing best practices and disseminating information to build mutual understanding.

Heading the symposium’s organizing committee, Director of Marine and Fisheries Program at WWF Indonesia, Dr. Imam Musthofa Zainuddin, explained that this series of activities aims to strengthen collaboration through accurate information dissemination and broader multi-stakeholder participation. “The MPA and OECM Consortium has strategically supported marine conservation actions. This time, the symposium provides an important space for opening data, sharing lessons, and building informative and strategic discussions to support better area governance. We hope this initiative will not only benefit biodiversity conservation but also contribute to blue carbon preservation and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities,” he explained.

Echoing this sentiment, Vice President of RARE Indonesia, Hari Kushardanto, noted that awareness and knowledge of the OECM approach in Indonesia are still very limited. So far, efforts to achieve the 30% conservation target have largely relied on formal conservation areas. However, OECMs also play an important role, with the potential to contribute up to around 10 million hectares. More importantly, OECMs can help ensure that various community-led conservation initiatives continue to be protected and sustained. “Our research shows that several areas with high conservation value are not yet included in formal protected area schemes but have great potential to be recognized as OECMs. Through the ongoing development of the OECM guidelines, we hope to see more community-based conservation models emerge, including customary territories and local wisdom that have long played a key role in ocean stewardship,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Director of Pesisir Lestari (Pelestari), Dina D. Kosasih, emphasized the importance of active participation from local communities as the main actors in area management. “The long-term success of conservation area protection depends heavily on community involvement, including traditional institutions, women’s groups, and local management communities. Approaches that value social and cultural values will foster a sense of ownership and sustainability,” she stressed.

The National MPA-OECM Forum was established to ensure that local communities are represented and actively involved in the management of conservation areas. Through this forum, the principles of transparency, representation, and shared learning can be strengthened in national-level decision-making processes. Facilitated by the Committee Secretariat, this inclusive and publicly accessible forum will hold regular meetings, thematic discussions, and various collaborative initiatives to strengthen conservation networks across the archipelago.