KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (23 June 2022) – The Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Malaysia and the European Union (EU) Delegation to Malaysia, hosted the virtual Seminar on Enhancing the Area of Ocean Governance of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific through Dialogue from 23 to 24 June 2022. The webinar was attended by more than 100 participants comprising representatives from the relevant Ministries, embassies and other stakeholders from the region and beyond.
The importance of the oceans to stabilise the climate and its function to balance human needs in terms of economic resources and the planet’s life support system is undeniable. Unfortunately, we are observing ever increasing threats that pose extinction risk and cause destruction to the marine life and ecosystems, and ultimately endangeres human existence. Therefore, Ocean Governance is one of the seven priority areas of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, published in September 2021.
This virtual Seminar successfully gathered experts from related marine research fields from Europe and South East Asia to exchange views on finding solutions to address the pressing issues by discussing ocean governance through the adoption and implementation of Marine Spatial Planing (MSP) and sustainable blue economy approaches. The primary aim of the forum was to gauge views, perspectives and case examples of MSP implementation in Europe, and how that could assist the Indo-Pacific region in efforts towards consolidating marine ecosystems and resources governance, as well as communities wellbeing especially in the areas of marine protected areas (MPAs) management, contribution towards blue economies, stakeholders’engagement, as well as transboundary approaches to address related challenges.
MSP has been widely promoted as a management tool for implementing ecosystem-based management in the marine environment, reducing user conflict, enhancing environmental protection, and facilitating maritime economies’ expansion. Opportunities and challenges for blue economy for sustainable development, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, is vital in ensuring oceans health, human wellbeing and survival.
The Seminar was graced by the presence of – His Excellency Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, French Ambassador for the Poles and Maritime Issues, and His Excellency Michalis Rokas, Ambassador of the European Union to Malaysia, along with other dignitaries and delegates.
With the theme focusing on saving our oceans, the 2-day virtual seminar emphasised MSP’s actual and potential impact on ocean sustainability by sharing perspectives and experiences from France/Europe and Malaysia/South-East Asia and on transborder issues. This endeavour is indispensable for Malaysia as the country continues to work towards deriving an integrated “ocean” agenda to ensure the preservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas surrounding the nation.
MARITIME INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA (MIMA)
23 June 2022
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For further information, please get in touch with the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU):
Nawal Binti Zamrose
Tel: +603 – 21612960 / 017-9982675
Email: nawal@mima.gov.my
About the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA)
The Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) – Established in 1993, formerly known as the Malaysian Institute of Maritime Affairs. MIMA is a policy research institute set up by the Malaysian Government to look into Malaysia’s interest at sea and serve as a national focal point for research in the maritime sector. One essential task of the Institute is to complement the various government agencies involved in the maritime industry by mobilising expertise to assist and support them in national maritime policy planning and implementation.