DPR Becomes Host Of The Pacific Parliament Forum, Puan Emphasizes The Importance Of Maritime Partnerships

Puan Maharani (Photo via Dok DPR)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian House of Representatives has again held an Indonesia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP) session. Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, said that the House of Representatives as the host of parliamentary forums for passive countries also considered maritime partnerships with fellow archipelago countries very important for regional stability.

The IPPP this time will be held on July 24-26, 2024 in Jakarta. IPPP itself is a DPR diplomacy initiative forum to involve parliaments of archipelagic countries in the Pacific Ocean, which so far have not been explored much.

"The DPR is ready to warmly welcome the delegation of the 2nd session of the Indonesia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP)," said Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, Tuesday, July 23.

The first IPPP forum was held in 2018 by the Indonesian House of Representatives. However, due to Covid-19 constraints, the next meeting could not be held. This meeting is the second meeting held in Indonesia.

According to Puan, the purpose of the IPPP forum was formed to build connectivity between the DPR and the parliament of passive countries as fellow archipelagic countries in various collaborations.

"This Forum aims to develop partnerships in various fields, including connectivity and maritime, with countries in the Pacific region," explained the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

The 2nd session of the Indonesian Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP) has the theme 'Partnership for Prosperity: Fostering Regional Connectivity and Inclusive Development'. The theme is expected to improve stability in passive areas.

This theme will be applicable if we make the Pacific a peaceful and stable region. Without peace we cannot carry out inclusive development, and develop connectivity," said Puan.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR said that the country involved in this IPPP has the same place. Puan also said that IPPP members must be able to stand equally high and must comply with international law, as well as the UN charter.

"As a big family in the Pacific, we must work together in building mutual trust (trust), and mutual understanding in order to create peace and stability in the region," he said.

"A peaceful, stable, and prosperous Pacific area will certainly also have a positive consensus on peace and prosperity at the global level," continued Puan.

Puan hopes that the IPPP forum can be a forum for the parliament of passive countries to exchange ideas, strengthen cooperation, and produce real solutions in facing various challenges and mutual opportunities.

"We will also bring various important issues to discuss in the forum, one of which is related to sustainable development," said the Chairperson of the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly.

In the 2nd IPPP Session, the parliament of Pacific countries will discuss a number of issues such as how to tackle climate change, promote sustainable development, as well as support for the blue economy and sustainable tourism.

Then the parliament of passive countries will also discuss efforts to strengthen the role of women and youth as well as friendship to inter-cultural cooperation.

This prestigious event will be attended by the leaders and delegates of the 16th parliament in the Pacific region. The IPPP 2nd Opening ceremony which will be chaired by Puan as Chair of the Assembly will be held on Thursday (25/7) morning and is planned to be attended by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Meanwhile, the delegation group will begin arriving the day before, namely on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. In addition to following the agenda of the trial, the IPPP delegation will be invited to a tour building to the DPR Building.

On the second day, all delegates will be invited to visit the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB). The House of Representatives as the host invited the IPPP delegation to IPB to see research on how Indonesia is downstreaming marine products that have not been carried out by Pacific countries.

With this visit, it is hoped that representatives of passive countries will be inspired to process various kinds of marine resources so that they have more value. In addition, the delegates will also be introduced to agricultural products so that they have enrichment about Indonesia.

Indonesia and Pacific countries share the same as fellow archipelagic countries, which are surrounded by waters and oceans. The initiation of the DPR at this meeting is also expected so that passive countries can share and exchange experiences," explained Puan.

Not only to IPB, the IPPP delegation will later be invited to visit Kebon Raya Bogor with the aim that event participants can see Indonesia's flora wealth. Puan said this step was taken by the DPR as an effort to promote Indonesia's advantages, such as in the agricultural sector.

"Just like when they hosted other international forums, the DPR will take the opportunity to promote various things about Indonesia which are expected to benefit the country and society," he said.

Puan added, this forum is a symbol of Indonesia's commitment to building strategic cooperation and partnerships with Pacific countries.

"Through this meeting, I hope that the cooperation that has been built since the first IPPP meeting in 2018 can be continued," explained Puan.

Therefore, Puan invites all parties to take part in organizing this IPPP forum. He also asked for support from the community for the success of holding the 2nd IPPP Session which will make the Indonesian nation proud.

"Let's show the world that Indonesia is ready to become a trusted partner and contribute actively in building an advanced and sustainable Pacific region," said Puan.

On the sidelines of the 2nd IPPP Session, representatives of the DPR will also hold bilateral meetings with a number of leaders and members of the parliament of Pacific countries present.

Puan herself is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several Speakers of the Pacific state Parliament. Among others, Papua New Guinea's parliamentary leaders.