Indonesia Candidates Its Best Son At ITLOS And ILC, Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs Havas: Reflect On The Representation Of Developing Countries

JAKARTA - The nomination of representatives from Indonesia in international organizations is an effort to reflect on the representation of developing countries and the need to have votes in the preparation of new norms of international law, said Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno.

This was conveyed by Deputy Foreign Minister Havas in a press statement regarding the nomination of two Indonesian representatives in two international institutions, namely Professor Dr. Eddy Pratomo SH, MA as judges at the International Court for Marine Law (ITLOS) and Professor Hikmahanto Juwana SH, LL.M, Ph.D as members of the International Law Commission (ILC).

Deputy Foreign Minister Havas explained that Professor Eddy's candidacy cannot be separated from Indonesia as a party state in the 1982 UNCLOS international marine law convention. However, since ITLOS was founded in the same year, Indonesia has never had a judge who sits in an international marine law court.

"On the other hand, Indonesia wants to reflect on developing countries, from ASEAN areas that must have representation. Moreover, Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world, it will be ideal, if the interests of developing countries, archipelagic countries can be reflected in the composition of international marine law judges," he explained in a press statement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, May 9. evening.

Regarding the nomination of Professor Hikmahanto, Deputy Foreign Minister Havas explained, Indonesia felt the need for representatives to sit on the ILC, mainly related to marine problems, the environment, and the most crucial impact of sea level rise to international law, the impact of sea level rise on the baseline of a country.

"International law has not regulated this, it can cause concern. Rising sea level, it could (corresponding to) a decline in the baseline, which means the country's borders could change," explained Deputy Foreign Minister Havas.

"This is not yet definitive, not final. The study has been around for a long time. Indonesia feels the need to have a voice in the process of drafting new norms in international law in the field of sea level rise," he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Havas emphasized that although the two experts were nominated by the Indonesian government, their presence was in a personal capacity, not a representative while on duty.

"The government cannot provide a deposit, very independent," said Deputy Foreign Minister Havas.

It is known that Professor Eddy was nominated as an ITLOS judge for the 2026-2035 working period. Meanwhile, Professor Hikmahanto as a member of the ILC for the 2028-2032 working period.