World Ocean Day 2024 falls on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The theme for this year's global action, as cited from https://worldoceanday.org, is “Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate.” This theme emphasizes the urgency of taking collective and catalytic actions for the ocean and our climate. The current condition of our ocean and climate should be our shared concern and a call for unified action. As a maritime nation blessed with vast oceans and abundant marine resources, Indonesia has a vital role to play in leading sustainable ocean management and climate change mitigation efforts. One of the steps we can take is to strengthen ocean exploration and to preserve our seas as the heart of our planet through responsible and sustainable governance.
This commemoration also invites us to reflect on our identity as an archipelagic country with an extensive maritime territory. The recognition of Indonesia’s maritime boundaries has a long and historic journey. On December 13, 1957, the Djuanda Declaration was proclaimed, asserting Indonesia’s sovereignty over its maritime territory. Prior to that, Indonesia’s sea boundaries were inherited from Dutch colonial law, namely the Territoriale Zeeen en Maritieme Kringen Ordonantie (TZMKO) of 1939, which limited territorial waters to only 3 nautical miles from each island's coastline. The Djuanda Declaration was later internationally recognized and adopted in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982.
This long historical struggle has granted Indonesia full sovereignty over its marine territory. Today, this spirit must be carried forward by us—the children of the nation. In commemoration of World Ocean Day, let us take real, impactful actions to protect the ocean and climate. Let us utilize without destroying, through wise and sustainable management.
Wallahu A'lam Bishawab
(080624-AKU-FAPERTA)