Jakarta/Rome – Indonesia and FAO will strengthen cooperation in the field of marine affairs, fisheries and aquaculture under an agreement signed here today.
The three-year Memorandum of Agreement, which sets up a framework for future joint activities in those sectors, was signed by Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif C. Sutardjo and by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, paying a three-day official visit to Indonesia.
Under the agreement, specific arrangements will be made to increase cooperation in a number of areas including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development, marine conservation and the prevention, deterrence and elimination of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The agreement also covers capacity building, education and training, research and the exchange of experts - including through South-South cooperation - as well as food safety. Indonesia is a prominent actor in South-South cooperation and a member of the G20.
FAO and Indonesia also agreed to consult on matters of mutual interest prior to international fisheries meetings.
In 2012, the total value of Indonesia's fisheries exports was $3.6 billion. The fishing industry accounted for 21 percent of Indonesia's agricultural economy and 3 percent of national GDP.