Maritime Sovereignty Needs to Be Maintained to Build Public Awareness and Support

JAKARTA - Maritime sovereignty needs to be articulated, not just guarded, in order to build public awareness and support, said the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Heru Hartanto Subolo.

He conveyed this during the "Public Diplomacy Goes to Campus" activity and the screening of the film "12 Mile: Guiding the Archipelago" which was held by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with Diponegoro University at the UNDIP ICT Building, Semarang on Tuesday.

The activities emphasize maritime diplomacy based on soft power to strengthen Indonesian sovereignty and maritime law.

This also encourages foreign policy literacy among students. The focus is on the role of the state in maintaining sovereignty, maritime territorial stability, and sustainable use of the sea for national interests.

The Vice Rector of Diponegoro University, in his opening remarks, emphasized the strategic role of universities in supporting Indonesian maritime diplomacy through strengthening human resource capacity, developing research and innovation, academic contributions in building a global narrative, and strengthening Indonesia's position at the international level.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this activity reflected the main message of the 2026 Annual Foreign Minister Press Statement (PPTM), Indonesian diplomacy departs from national interests.

The activity featured speakers from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, namely the Director General of Public Information and Diplomacy as well as the Coordinator of the Sea and Land Border Function, the Directorate of Legal and Territorial Agreements.

As the largest archipelago country, maritime diplomacy is a strategic instrument to strengthen national resilience and global connectivity.

"Maritime sovereignty is not only guarded, but also needs to be articulated to build public awareness and support," said Ambassador Heru, quoted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (8/4) statement.

Universities play an important role through research, innovation, and education in shaping Indonesia's narrative at the global level.

Diponegoro University itself contributes as a maritime science center that encourages international collaboration and the development of superior human resources.

Students and academicians are encouraged to become actors of diplomacy today and in the future. Their participation is important to build an image of Indonesia that is better understood, trusted, and respected in the international community.

Meanwhile, the documentary "12 Mile: Guiding the Archipelago" raises the struggle of Prof. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja's thinking in fighting for the concept of an archipelago state until it was recognized in UNCLOS 1982.

Discussions with the film producers strengthened the participants' understanding of the relevance of the concept of an archipelago state for Indonesia today.

This activity strengthens public diplomacy based on education and collaboration. In the future, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to encourage the involvement of the younger generation in strengthening Indonesia's strategic narrative at the global level.