The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is engaging in international collaboration to improve marine spatial planning (MSP), particularly through a joint project in Balikpapan Bay, East Kalimantan, in partnership with Xiamen University (China) and IPB University. This project, which runs until 2026, focuses on developing an integrated and adaptive model of marine space use, aiming to ensure ocean areas are utilized efficiently, equitably, and sustainably. MSP is being prioritized as a tool to enhance national coastal and small island governance under the broader concept of the blue economy.
At the “Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Maritime Economy” forum held in China from September 28–29, KKP underscored that international cooperation can help balance ecological, social, and economic considerations in marine governance. One of the outcomes of the forum was the launch by the China Oceanic Development Foundation (CODF) of the “Right Initiatives to Support the Marine Spatial Planning Partnership,” which consists of eight flagship cooperation programs. These include technical support and systems for MSP, joint research, training, integrated coastal zone studies, governance cooperation, and initiatives geared toward disaster and climate change adaptation.
