ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia is accelerating its ambition to become a global leader in the blue economy, following the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) official endorsement of the Ocean Impact Summit (OIS) 2026, set to take place in Bali on June 8–9, 2026.
The summit, to be held for the first time, is designed as a high-level, action-oriented global platform that brings together governments, international organizations, investors, industry leaders, and civil society to advance sustainable ocean-based economic development.
WEF’s support was formally confirmed through the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and WEF Managing Directors Sebastian Buckup and Maroun Kairouz.
The signing took place at the WEF Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, on Thursday evening, January 22 (local time).
The signing ceremony was witnessed directly by President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, underscoring the strategic importance of OIS 2026 at the highest level of national leadership. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) will serve as one of the key organizers of the summit.
“This agreement aims to strengthen action, partnerships, and sustainable investment, while aligning the roles of multiple stakeholders in support of Indonesia’s blue economy agenda and its global leadership,” Minister Trenggono said in an official statement released in Jakarta on Friday, January 23, 2026.
According to the LoI, the collaboration between KKP and WEF is structured around four strategic pillars.
First, positioning the ocean as a strategic priority across economic, environmental, and geopolitical dimensions, while recognizing the ocean as critical infrastructure for global growth, climate stability, food security, and social well-being.
Second, supporting system-level dialogue and collaboration through the architecture of OIS 2026, enabling cross-sectoral engagement beyond fragmented initiatives.
Third, catalyzing concrete actions, partnerships, and investments, including the identification, discussion, and announcement of collaborative initiatives, platforms, and investment pathways that can extend well beyond the OIS 2026 event itself.
Fourth, strengthening alignment and coherence among stakeholders—including governments, financial institutions, industries, international organizations, innovators, philanthropic institutions, and civil society—to support Indonesia’s blue economy priorities in a coordinated and scalable manner.
Earlier, President Prabowo actively promoted OIS 2026 to global leaders attending the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, personally inviting economic figures and world leaders to participate in the Bali summit later this year.
OIS 2026 is envisioned as a results-driven, multi-stakeholder platform aimed at advancing a resilient and inclusive blue economy, with Indonesia positioning itself not only as host, but as a global agenda-setter in ocean-based economic transformation.
Previously, Doni Ismanto Darwin, Special Staff to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, emphasized that OIS is designed as a delivery forum, not merely a discussion space.
“This is a major international forum attended by country representatives and leaders of global organizations. OIS is a crucial moment to unlock Indonesia’s marine and fisheries potential through innovation and sustainability, in line with blue economy principles,” he said during a press briefing in Jakarta on January 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, Hendra Yusran Siry, Senior Advisor to the Minister on Marine Ecology and Resources, highlighted that OIS 2026 is also supported by OceanX, a global non-profit organization focused on advancing marine technology for sustainability.
He noted that Indonesia’s vast marine biodiversity offers enormous potential for future-oriented industries, including biodegradable plastics derived from marine algae, as well as biocosmetics and biopharmaceuticals sourced from deep-sea organisms.
“These are industries of the future. Indonesia must move beyond merely offering potential and become strategically involved. OIS provides a concrete pathway to connect innovation and investment in a sustained and credible manner,” Hendra explained.
The WEF Annual Meeting 2026, held from January 19–23, brought together approximately 3,000 global leaders from more than 130 countries, including around 850 CEOs of leading multinational companies, further reinforcing the global visibility and credibility of OIS 2026.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries remains open to collaboration with a broad range of partners—from governments and private sector actors to non-governmental organizations and international institutions—to ensure the success of Ocean Impact Summit 2026 in Bali and to deliver lasting impact for Indonesia’s ocean-based economy. (AT Network)
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