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  Indonesia
Indonesia as an archipelago state which have a strong commitment to promote the sea or
the ocean as a common heritage through activities organized by a National Committee for
the 1998 International Year of the Ocean. The National Committee is a combination of the
Indonesian Navy, the Agency of Technology Assessment and Implementation and the Indonesian
Science Institution. All activities have been arranged to encourage Indonesian people to
take care of the sea and the ocean and to exploit and explore it whilst maintaining sea
environment, to protect it from a destruction efforts. Therefor, the Committee defined a
motto: "The Ocean: Challenge, Opportunity and Prospect". The aim is to improve
public opinion, awareness, vision and perception in developing the ocean properly.
The events that has been arranged by the committee indicate active participation of all
maritime communities: government both in Jakarta and provinces, non governmental
organization in mobilizing the involvement. Basically all activities are comprising five
major points which are:
- Campaign about the ocean through various domestic and international media
- Education through seminars, workshops, publications of marine research results
- Participation where people are allowed to participate in sea activities such as tourism,
environment protection and promotion
- Events, including national championships such as yachting, water-ski, diving,
finswimming, jet ski, fishing which are able to attract and gather people to the sea
- Marine research expeditions conducted by the Agency of Technology Assessment and
Implementation, and the Indonesia Science Institution. There are two research vessels
owned by both institutions: one of them will start from Jakarta to
Sabang-Cilacap-Mataram-Manado, and the other will continue form Manado to Ambon and
terminated in Merauke. Many experts and scientists both domestic and foreign will
participate in this expedition.
The Indonesian participation in the 1998 International Year of the Ocean is also
expected to be able in marking acceleration of the maritime development starting from
maritime spirit development until actual sea exploitation and exploration to achieve
people's welfare. The culmination of Indonesia's participation in the 1998 IYO will be
conducted in Manado on 26 September including:
- The signing of the 1st day cover of the 1998 IYO Indonesia stamp series
- The signing of the Ocean Charter by President of the Republic of Indonesia, Foreign
Minister, Minister of Research and Technology, and Chief of Naval Staff (more info here)
- A political statement by Mr. President which is called "Bunaken Declaration"
will content a commitment or national policies of the future maritime development
- Sea Watersport championships including: yachting water ski, rowing, diving, finswimming,
fishing and jet ski. There are also exhibitions of maritime industry in a hotel open for
public.
- Tall Ships and Fleet Review and sailing pass which can be viewed by people from the
beach. Five Tall Ships will take part in this event and there will be approximately 150
youths on board who will conduct sail training.
- Three days sail training cruise for youth age between 16-25 years old during all Tall
Ships in Manado from 27 September to 3 October 1998.
After culmination day all activities in Indonesia which are declared as parts of
the1998 IYO will be continued until the end of the year which include:
- Seminar and exhibition of offshore mining technology, November 1998
- Seminar of Marine Bio Technology
- Adventure sailing of small boat from Jakarta to Christmas Island return, November 1998.
These are all events that can be arranged by the committee and hopefully they will be a
good contribution to the 1998 IYO.
More info contact
Rear Admiral Yoost F. Mengko
Chairman, Indonesian Organising Committee |
