Jakarta (ANTARA) - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono and British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Dominic Jermey, sought to strengthen bilateral synergy by discussing blue economy development to support marine and fisheries sustainability."The meeting discussed three topics: blue carbon, aquaculture, and fishing gear," said Minister Trenggono in a statement issued in Jakarta on Monday.
The meeting was a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto's state visit to London last month. At that time, Trenggono said, President Prabowo and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to strengthen and revitalize the relationship between the two countries, including marine and fisheries cooperation.
"These include the blue economy, conservation, strengthening modern and sustainable fishing vessels, aquaculture fishing vessels, and marine and fisheries resource surveillance vessels," he informed.
He said that the management of conservation areas must be undertaken jointly because it is related to carbon emission absorption, which is the main climate change trigger.
Through the Blue Planet Fund, the British government is supporting the sustainable management of conservation areas and fisheries natural resources in Indonesia.
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Trenggono added that the meeting also discussed strategic programs initiated by Prabowo that could be supported by the marine and fisheries sector.
The programs include the Free Nutritious Meals program targeting school-aged children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, food self-sufficiency, and 8 percent economic growth.
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Ambassador Jermey emphasized that strengthening cooperation in the marine and fisheries sectors could help achieve these programs.
"We are talking about how to strengthen cooperation in these three areas to support President Prabowo's vision. Together, we can," he said.
Trenggono informed that this was his second meeting with Jermey since his reappointment as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in October 2024.