Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Panama have agreed to cooperate on water conservation to strengthen implementation of the blue economy concept to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

"The attempt aims to bolster implementation of the blue economy program through the expansion of conservation areas," Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono noted in a statement here on Saturday.

Earlier, he had received a visit from Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes at the headquarters of the KKP Ministry in Jakarta on April 8, 2022.

Trenggono noted that Indonesia's marine conservation areas continue to increase every year and are projected to reach 32.5 million hectares by 2030.

Marine conservation area is a protected water area that is managed with a zoning system to implement sustainable management of its fisheries resources and environment.

The Indonesian minister assessed that the area is important for the implementation of blue carbon since mangroves, seagrasses, and other biota in the waters are able to absorb large amounts of carbon.

He noted that in addition to consistently expanding marine conservation areas, the ministry will immediately implement a measured fishing policy to thwart overfishing and illegal fishing at sea.

Meanwhile, Mouynes noted that Indonesia and Panama harbor the same vision in pursuing maritime health.

The minister stated that Panama is known as a country whose conservation area is almost as large as the country itself.

In addition, the Central American country is renowned for its abundant marine wealth. However, it is threatened by the impact of climate change.

Hence, the Panamanian minister stressed that her country is currently intensively conducting multilateral cooperation to reduce carbon emissions through water conservation activities.

“Thus, I am very pleased with Indonesia’s attempts. We have the potential for multilateral cooperation that can generate a concrete result,” she affirmed.

Apart from marine conservation, the meeting also discussed the potential for cooperation in the aquaculture sub-sector in Indonesia.

Source from: Razi Rahman, Uyu Liman. (April 8, 2022). Indonesia, Panama cooperate on water conservation. ANTARA . https://en.antaranews.com/news/224157/indonesia-panama-cooperate-on-water-conservation