ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Indonesian delegation proposed the Lombok Strait as a Particlely Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council 132 Session at IMO Headquarters in London, England.
The Director General of Sea Transportation at the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, Antoni Arif Priadi, said that the promotional efforts were carried out during the session’s coffee break.
“We took the initiative to sponsor a coffee break for all delegates present to promote the Lombok Strait PSSA proposal,” said Antoni, who acted as Chair of the Indonesian Delegation at the session, quoted from his written statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, July 10 2024.
On this occasion, Antoni conveyed to the delegates present that as a Member of the IMO Council, Indonesia is always committed to strengthening the role of IMO as a world maritime organization and realizing safety and security for sustainable maritime development.
Antoni said that the designation of Nusa Penida and Gili Matra in the Lombok Strait as PSSA was a manifestation of Indonesia’s efforts to protect the maritime environment.
“Because the area is included in the Coral Triangle, a globally recognized center of marine biodiversity, where a kaleidoscope of life occurs, which thrives with an extraordinary variety of coral species,” he explained.
Therefore, it is hoped that Indonesia’s proposal to designate the Lombok Strait as a PSSA can advocate for the preservation of the ecological wealth of the area.
Apart from that, it is also a recognition of the dual importance of the region, namely a paradise for rich biodiversity and a basis for local economic and cultural identity, but vulnerable to the impact of increasing international shipping volumes.
“The proposal will be submitted to the IMO at the 82nd MEPC session in September, for this reason we are trying to gather support from member countries present at this session,” he said.
Apart from promoting the proposal of the Lombok Strait as a PSSA, Antoni also explained technological developments or digitalization in supporting maritime programs in Indonesia, including the development of Indosrep which supports shipping safety, the implementation of the Inaportnet information service system in ports throughout Indonesia.
“And the launch of the E-Signed Certificate which makes things easier for seafarers in Indonesia,” said Antoni. (ATN)
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