TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is campaigning for the support of International Maritime Organization (IMO) state members to be re-elected as members of IMO Council Category C 2024-2025.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation Lollan Panjaitan said that the membership will be beneficial for Indonesia, where it will be recognized globally as a prominent maritime country. "Indonesia's membership as the IMO Council will boost the government's vision to be the global maritime fulcrum in order to advocate for the national interest at the international level," said Lollan during a media briefing in the Foreign Mininstry's office in Jakarta, on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Further, Lollan explained that it will be easier for Indonesia to voice its concern regarding national interest while holding the membership. "In this position, we will be able to position and promote our country's condition so the collective agreement could reflect our country's interest," said Lollan.

Countries in Category C are the 20 countries that are not eligible to be in Category A and B but still hold a specific interest in the field of sea transportation or navigation. Additionally, Indonesia's membership in the IMO Council is also necessary to reach the target of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, namely the 14th SDG, sustainable preservation and utilization of sea resources.

"Indonesia is currently trying to increase the number of smart and sustainable harbors to boost the efficiency of vessel operation and the national maritime industry as a whole," Lollan added.

Indonesia has been IMO's active state member since 1961 and has been a dedicated IMO Council member since 1973. This year, Indonesia is campaigning to be the 2024-2025 period IMO Council member to continue its contribution to the world's sea space management. Therefore, Indonesia continues to raise support from other IMO state members.

AMY HEPPY

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