Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Strengthens Ocean Diplomacy Through Support for Research Collaboration at the Melanesian Ocean Summit 2026
Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) supports regional research collaboration in the Pacific and the Coral Triangle through the Melanesian Ocean Summit 2026 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The backing is part of strengthening Indonesia’s strategic role in international ocean diplomacy and cooperation.
The international forum, held at APEC House in Port Moresby from 11 to 14 May 2026, brought together delegations from Pacific nations, academics, international organisations, conservation groups, and development partners. The discussions centred on sustainable marine management, climate resilience, coastal ecosystem conservation, and fisheries governance in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the forum, MMAF stressed the importance of strengthening cross-border research collaboration as the foundation for maintaining the sustainability of marine ecosystems in the Pacific and the Coral Triangle, recognised as a global hub of marine biodiversity. Indonesia is regarded as having a strategic role in bridging ASEAN and Pacific countries on ocean, conservation, and blue economy issues.
Director General of Marine Spatial Planning Koswara stated that climate change, degradation of coastal ecosystems, and pressures on marine resources and fisheries cannot be resolved by a single country alone. He argued that these challenges must be tackled through strong science-based cooperation, innovation, and knowledge exchange among countries in the region. “MMAF fully supports strengthening international research collaboration as a concrete step to safeguard the future of the sea. The Pacific region and the Coral Triangle are ecologically highly interconnected, requiring solid regional synergy based on science and shared interests,” he said on Thursday, 21 May 2026. He is the designated head of the National Coordinating Committee for CTI-CFF.
Koswara noted that through Indonesia’s role in CTI-CFF, MMAF continues to push capacity building for marine human resources, joint research development, data sharing, and science-based policy support for adaptive ocean management in response to climate change.
One significant achievement from the forum was the strengthening of regional cooperation through the formation of the Bismarck Solomon Seascape (BSS) Science Hub – University Partnership within CTI-CFF, involving universities and strategic partners from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
This regional collaboration focuses on strengthening coastal and marine research, building human-resource capacity, and developing science-based policies via a joint action plan for 2026–2030, creation of cross-country research teams, exchanges of faculty and students, scientific symposia, field learning, and joint publications.
The collaboration also promotes the integration of local wisdom and traditional knowledge of indigenous communities in the management of marine resources within the Bismarck Solomon Seascape, involving Papuan universities such as Universitas Papua (UNIPA), Universitas Cenderawasih (UNCEN), and Universitas Okmin Papua (UOP), to support inclusive and sustainable marine development for coastal communities and small islands.
Meanwhile, Kartika Listriana, Director General of Maritime Spatial Planning, who attended in person, emphasised that universities have a strategic role in supporting cross-border marine resource management scientifically, inclusively, and sustainably. She said MMAF will continue to actively strengthen regional ocean diplomacy, including building networks of research collaboration and conservation involving government, academics, indigenous communities, civil society, and international development partners.
Earlier, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono stated that blue economy expansion must go hand in hand with protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening global collaboration. This policy is implemented by MMAF through science-based marine management, sustainable conservation, and strengthening international partnerships to safeguard the health of the seas as a pillar of food security, climate, and global well-being. (*)