REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla has called for an increase in trade among member countries of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The total annual value of trade among IORA member countries is US$926 billion. However, this is only around one percent of the total global trade value," Kalla stated in his opening remarks during the Second Ministerial Conference of IORA, here, Wednesday.

The total fish catch in the Indian Ocean rim is only 13 percent of the total global fish catch.

"This is despite the fact that more than 40 percent of fishermen in the world live in the Indian Ocean region," he noted.

Kalla expressed hope that the ministers attending the IORA conference would produce concrete plans that would help to increase trade and the blue economic potential in the Indian Ocean region, among other things, through the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

"IUU fishing has led to a decrease in productivity of our fishermen. Hence, in accordance with the sustainable development target, we need to confirm that IUU fishing is a transnational crime," he added.

Kalla in his address also reiterated the Indonesian government's commitment to the IORA.

"As a country located in the Indian Ocean and an archipelago, Indonesia is committed to promoting the spirit of the ocean," Kalla stated. 

At the national level, the Indonesian government has drafted a strategic plan on blue economic development by setting a target to reduce plastic waste in sea by 70 percent until 2030, among other things.

Indonesia's delegation to the conference comprises Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, and Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.

The second conference was held here on May 8-10, and delegations from 21 member countries and seven dialog partners are participating in the event.

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