KKP Strengthens Indonesia's Role in Pacific Ocean Governance
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is strengthening Indonesia’s role in regional ocean governance through active participation in the Melanesian Ocean Summit (MOS) 2026, held from 11-14 May 2026 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The MOS 2026, inaugurated by Papua New Guinea, is the first high-level conference aimed at bolstering Melanesian nations’ leadership in sustainably conserving and managing oceans through regional collaboration and local community involvement.
Hendra Yusran Siry, Marine Ecology and Resources Expert Staff to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, representing the Indonesian delegation, stated that regional collaboration is key to addressing climate change challenges, coastal ecosystem degradation, and increasingly complex pressures on marine resources in the Pacific region.
“Indonesia supports strengthening regional cooperation for sustainable and inclusive ocean management. The sea is not just an economic resource but also a livelihood for coastal communities and an ecological heritage that must be preserved collectively through collaboration, science, and empowering local communities,” said Hendra.
The MOS 2026 attracted over 500 participants from more than 20 countries, including Pacific island leaders, international organisations, academics, conservation bodies, and development partners. The forum resulted in the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR) declaration, a joint commitment by Melanesian nations to enhance marine conservation, regional cooperation, and sustainable blue economy development in the Pacific region.
Indonesia expressed its appreciation for the MOCOR declaration at the forum. As an archipelagic nation and part of both the Melanesian region and the Coral Triangle, Indonesia has strategic interests in maintaining the sustainability of marine ecosystems in the Pacific.
Indonesia also stressed the importance of implementing the declaration in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), to ensure regional ocean governance is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Furthermore, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to protecting 30% of its national marine territory—97.5 million hectares—by 2045, strengthening coastal community empowerment and regional marine cooperation, and inviting Melanesian nations to participate in the Ocean Impact Summit (OIS) scheduled for October 2026 in Bali.
The MOCOR declaration, signed by Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu, includes strategic agendas such as strengthening regional ocean governance, protecting marine ecosystems and coral reefs, supporting the global target of protecting 30% of ocean areas by 2030, and enhancing marine surveillance to combat illegal fishing and resource exploitation.
The declaration also highlights the importance of integrating traditional indigenous knowledge with modern science in ocean management. This approach is deemed crucial for strengthening community-based marine conservation and ensuring the sustainability of marine resources for future generations.
Beyond the political declaration, MOS 2026 also advanced concrete steps, including discussions on establishing the MOCOR Fund as a transparent marine conservation financing mechanism and developing a Melanesian coral reef research network to support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The Indonesian delegation, comprising representatives from the KKP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Papua Provincial Government, and KKP partners, actively participated in discussions on strategic issues including regional ocean governance, marine conservation, climate resilience, marine research, and sustainable fisheries management across the Indo-Pacific region.
Previously, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasised that blue economy development must proceed alongside marine ecosystem protection to ensure sustainable economic benefits for coastal communities.
He added that healthy oceans are a vital foundation for food security, economic stability, and the future of coming generations.