Indonesia To Carry Forward Legacy Of Djuanda Declaration

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia will carry forward the legacy of the Djuanda Declaration of 1957 to serve as a beacon to realize the nation's vision of becoming a global maritime axis, the foreign affairs' vice minister stated.

"We are not here to glorify the past but to learn from it for today and the future and to realize the vision of becoming a global maritime axis," Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs A. M. Fachir noted in his keynote speech at the International Symposium to commemorate the 60th year of the Djuanda Declaration here on Wednesday.

Fachir remarked that the vision to become a modern global maritime axis can be realized through efforts to build Indonesia as a sovereign, advanced, independent, and strong nation to contribute to peace and security in the region and world.

"It is a vision that we must nurture and implement through various policies and programs within and across ministries or relevant institutions," he noted.

Foreign Affairs' Director General for Legal Affairs and International Treaties Damos Agusman emphasized that the symposium aims to formulate policy options that are in line with President Joko Widodo's directive to strengthen maritime diplomacy.

"This is the reason that national and international legal luminaries, whose areas focus on maritime law and border, are invited to share their insightful views," he revealed.

The event is also aimed at reminding government officials, academics, practitioners, and the Indonesian community that Indonesia had enacted an effective maritime diplomacy for six decades.

The Djuanda Declaration, announced by the Indonesian government in 1957, affirmed the nation's policy of "Wawasan Nusantara," which means standing united as an archipelagic state, which also serves as national guideline for implementing the maritime outlook policy.

Held at the historic Pancasila Building at the Foreign Affairs Ministry's complex, the symposium presented some experts in the field of maritime affairs: Special Envoy of the Indonesian President on the Establishment of the Indonesia-Malaysia Maritime Border Dr Eddy Pratomo, Ambassador to the UK and Northern Ireland and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization Dr Rizal Sukma, Head of the Ocean Law Division at the National University of Singapore Robert Beckman.

The discussion was also attended by Vice Admiral Achmad Taufiqoerrrahman on behalf of the chief of the Indonesian Navy. (WDY)