ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia is strengthening its international cooperation on marine spatial planning through a strategic partnership with China.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has teamed up with FISO Xiamen University to advance the Joint Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for Balikpapan Bay, following a training workshop recently held in Xiamen, People’s Republic of China.
Abdi Tunggal Priyanto, Director of Marine Space Planning at the Directorate General for Marine Spatial Management, explained that the Joint MSP aims to ensure Balikpapan Bay becomes a resilient, well-managed, and sustainable coastal area while maintaining productive and modern economic development.
“Balikpapan Bay’s current spatial allocation is dominated by mangrove ecosystems, fishing settlements, shipping lanes, and the habitat of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. Without integrated and sustainable planning, development could lead to spatial conflicts, social impacts, and environmental degradation,” Abdi said in an official statement quoted on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
The Joint MSP initiative with Xiamen University is expected to provide technical input for revising East Kalimantan Provincial Regulation No. 1 of 2023 and integrating it into the National Spatial Planning Framework (RTRWN).
To address challenges such as ecosystem degradation, overfishing, and competing spatial use, KKP emphasizes marine spatial planning as a primary foundation built upon five key pillars: environmental sustainability, economic productivity, social inclusivity, science-based decision-making, and climate resilience.
The approach is supported by ocean big data, cross-sectoral collaboration, and innovative financing schemes such as blue finance and blue carbon governance.
Dyah Erowati, Special Advisor to the Minister for Marine Spatial Planning and International Cooperation, highlighted the importance of learning from China’s long-standing experience in coastal zone integration.
With more than 30 years of expertise in coastal development, Xiamen Coastal Development provides valuable insights for Indonesia in designing marine zoning that strengthens the blue economy and supports sustainable coastal management.
“This collaboration also enhances the capacity of KKP’s human resources, especially in spatial data processing and technical knowledge transfer for integrated coastal management,” Dyah noted.
She added that the ministry hopes to deepen cooperation in advanced technologies, including remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and blue carbon management.
This year’s workshop is the third since KKP signed a cooperation agreement with the China Ocean Development Foundation (CODF) in December 2023 and a technical cooperation agreement between PRL and FISO Xiamen University in 2024.
The 2025 program focuses on updating progress in Balikpapan Bay’s MSP development, evaluating technical recommendations, conducting analyses, and benchmarking marine spatial planning processes between Indonesia and China.
Aligned with the policy direction of Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, KKP continues to strengthen collaboration with global and domestic partners to advance blue economy–based marine spatial planning that safeguards ecosystems while improving the welfare of coastal communities. (AT Network)
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