Launch of the "Blue Planet Fund, COAST Programme, and Marine Environment Scholarships". Indonesia-UK Collaboration

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Jakarta, January 21, 2025 The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Rekam Nusantara - FRCI launched the “Blue Planet Fund, COAST Programme and Marine Science Scholarships” supported by the UK Embassy. As a form of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and the UK.

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said that Indonesia appreciates the invaluable support from the UK in promoting marine conservation efforts.

He hopes that the project will effectively improve the quality of marine protected area management through capacity building and public participation, as well as strengthening conservation data and information systems.

The project is also expected to support the development of management models and pilot programs, as well as the utilization and management of blue carbon through results-based payment mechanisms and carbon trading, he said.

This is a multi-stakeholder collaboration that supports and protects mangrove, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems but also access to community livelihoods such as sustainable aquaculture in line with the action plan. Concluded Dame Tamara (Defra UK)

The UK has launched a £500 million Blue Planet Fund (BPF) as part of a global effort to protect and enhance marine ecosystems through conservation and sustainable management of marine resources. The move also aims to reduce poverty in developing countries.

Gareth Clements, in his presentation, stated that a key objective of the BPF is to ensure that the fund's portfolio supports the ocean economy and blue economy priorities and goals set by the Indonesian government.

The Blue Planet Fund has several priority areas, including Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Aquaculture, and Marine Conservation.

In Indonesia, BPF supports eight programs, consisting of three bilateral programs and five multi-donor programs. One of the key programs is the Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program.

The COAST program is designed to address the challenge of biodiversity loss while dealing with the impacts of climate change. It also channels climate finance from the UK to developing countries, including Indonesia, to mobilize more finance related to climate and nature management and develop the blue economy.

Indonesia is one of the priority countries in the implementation of this program, along with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Mozambique. In addition, there are secondary countries targeted by the program such as Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya.


At the opening ceremony Ambassador Jermey explained that the COAST program will support four priority countries internationally, including Indonesia, to improve the adaptive capacity, climate resilience and prosperity of vulnerable coastal communities, while supporting efforts to protect, restore and sustainably manage Indonesia's coastal habitats.

In line with Ambassador Dominic Jermey, UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West emphasized the need for urgent action in relation to the world's coasts and oceans, including in Indonesia.

Dr. Firdaus Agung explained the implementation of Ocean Accounts in Indonesia, which took place from 2021 to 2024. The process includes policy regulation, initial assessment, roadmap development, task force establishment, and human resource capacity building. Pilot projects of this program have been conducted in 10 conservation areas and two thematic areas, followed by the development of two national standards.   

For the 2025-2026 period, the program will provide scholarships for five master students and five doctoral students, in collaboration with IPB University and UNSW.   

Meanwhile, the IWT Challenge Fund focuses on reducing the illegal trade in sharks and rays in Indonesia. The program has produced four PhD students researching topics such as livelihoods, governance, stock assessment and genetics.

With this action, the UK is demonstrating its commitment to supporting sustainable ocean management, ensuring a balance between the needs of the economy and the preservation of the marine environment. This program is expected to be an example of international collaboration that can be adopted by other countries in the world.

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