REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The minister of marine and fishery of Indonesia, Sharif Cicip Sutardjo, said Asia Pacific governments had agreed to focus on cooperation in developing a blue economy.

"The ministers of marine affairs and the related officials from 21 Asia Pacific countries have agreed that a blue economy should be a main focus for cooperation and partnerships among APEC member countries," the minister said in a written statement on Saturday.

According to Sutardjo, the ministers of marine affairs, who attended the reading of the Declaration of Xiamen, drawn up at the 4th APEC Marine Ministerial Meeting in Xiamen, China, Thursday (Aug 28), established a partnership that is more integrated, sustainable, inclusive and mutually beneficial through maritime cooperation.

The minister explained the three priority areas of cooperation included conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as their resilience to natural disasters, the role of oceans in assuring food security, and trade related to food. The third priority is marine technologies and innovations.

"The agreement in the Declaration of Xianmen will be carried out by applying a previous commitment, and focuses on collaboration and integrated actions," Sutardjo said.

He added that each country member agreed that there is a potential link between the concept of a blue economy with sustainable development and, in particular, economic growth. A blue economy also has a close relationship with marine and coastal conservation, innovative development, as well as reforms and economic growth that are among the three priorities of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC 2014.

"We call on blue economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and reaffirm our strong support for taking action to promote connectivity and communication among APEC country members to facilitate the flow of goods, services, trade and investment," Sutardjo said.

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