Indonesia Seeks Cooperation With Fao In Food And Maritime Sector

London (Antara Bali) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Indroyono Soesilo has made a working visit to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)in Roma, Italy.

Indroyono asked FAO to cooperate with Indonesia and Global Environment Facility (GEF) in the management of fishery resources in coastal areas, conservation of mangrove forests and peat land in Indonesia.

It was Indroyono's first visit to FAO, after he took his new job in the cabinet of President Joko Widodo late last year.

Indroyono was formerly FAO director of fisheries and aqua culture in 2012-2014.

Indroyono briefed FAO Director General Dr. JosÃ© Graziano da Silva about Indonesia's maritime policy including the country's initiative in food and marine sectors such as projects in East Nusa Tenggara and various other projects in which FAO and Indonesia need to technical cooperation.

Indonesian Ambassador to Italy August Parengkuan said Indroyono invited FAO to cooperate with Indonesia in the context of South-South Cooperation scheme , one of the important points in the recent Asian African summit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Asian African Conference in Bandung and Jakarta.

Indroyono asked FAO to support Indonesia in the plan to establish Asia-African Center in Indonesia as South-South cooperation is a priority agenda of FAO.

Indroyono and Da Silva also noted the fact that Indonesian is under represented at FAO.

Da Silva, therefore, asked more Indonesians to work for FAO to fill a number of managerial posts.

Minister Counselor Multilateral at the Indonesian embassy Tazwin Hanif said that after Indroyono left FAO, there is almost no more Indonesian occupying strategic position at FAO.

Hanif said Indonesia is facing problem of limited availability of professional workers that could take a position in various international organizations.

Positions are open not only at FAO in Rome but also at regional offices of FAO such as in Bangkok, he said. (WDY)