EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella visits Indonesia to strengthen cooperation on environment, climate change and sustainable ocean economy

On 21 February, H.E. Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is coming to Indonesia accompanied by a delegation of European officials. This visit will strengthen EU-Indonesia and EU-ASEAN dialogues and cooperation on environment, climate change and the governance of a sustainable ocean economy. This is the first mission at his level since 2004, boosting momentum for swift implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals and other multilateral environmental agreements supported by Indonesia, EU and other ASEAN Member States.

Commissioner Vella and Minister Siti Nurbaya will launch together the first session of the bilateral working group on environment and climate change, set up in the framework of the EU-Indonesia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

Speaking ahead of his journey, Commissioner Vella said: "The European Union, like Indonesia, knows that the success of the 'blue', sustainable ocean economy depends on keeping our oceans healthy. We are also working together to ensure the sustainability of 'green' land-based resources. I look forward to deepening those 'blue' and 'green' ties in the months and years to come."

The Commissioner's programme foresees a series of political meetings with, among others, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Panjaitan, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya and Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti. Commissioner Vella will as well meet Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community Lim Hong Hin, and Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee. In addition the Commissioner and his delegation will discuss with EU Member States missions in Jakarta, business leaders and civil society organisations. 

On 23 and 24 February, Commissioner Vella will participate to the World Ocean Summit organised by The Economist in Bali.

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Read Commissioner Vella's op-ed article HERE (The Jakarta Post, 21/02/2017)