Jokowi: We Must Work Hard To Improve Marine Connectivity And Security

President Jokowi virtual speech at the 76th UN General Assembly. (Screenshot of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Youtube)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked his staff to work hard to improve maritime connectivity and maritime security for the benefit of the community. This was conveyed in the commemoration of National Maritime Day, Thursday, September 23.

"We have to work hard to improve marine connectivity, we have to improve maritime security to protect the interests of the people and our national interests," Jokowi said in his remarks broadcast on the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs' YouTube.

As the largest archipelagic country in the world, because it has 17.000 islands with a coastline of 108.000 kilometers, Jokowi wants Indonesia to become the world's maritime axis. In addition, he also wants his staff to continue to strengthen the blue economy as a nation's identity.

"Our blue economy, our blue economy, our identity as a maritime nation must continue to be restored and strengthened, not only through maritime jargon but through real work in various fields," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

"We must empower maritime potential for more equitable economic growth and to increase added value, as well as unite our country, Indonesia," he added.

He emphasized that his government has been and will continue to work to improve the connectivity of thousands of islands in various ways, including connecting with the sea highway program.

It is hoped that this step in the future can facilitate the mobility of goods and people between islands to ensure better public services and increase the added value of the local economy.

Moreover, remote islands and coastal communities actually have high economic potential from various sectors such as the potential for the marine-based food industry such as fisheries and marine life, the potential for maritime tourism, the potential for the medicinal industry, and marine-based health supplements that can become the basis for economic growth.

"The sea is a source of livelihood where a lot of fortune is stored in it. The sea is a gift from God that we must protect, we must honor," he said.

"Therefore, the use of marine wealth must be done wisely, the sea must be protected for the benefit of the present generation and also for future generations," said Jokowi.