Jakarta: Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on collaboration to reduce plastic waste leakage into Indonesian waters.
The MoU was inked by officials from the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the Emirati Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in Abu Dhabi, the UAE.
“The signing of this MoU marks an important milestone of Indonesia-UAE cooperation in the reduction of plastic waste leakage into the ocean and reflects our shared commitment to environmental management,” deputy for environmental and forestry management at the Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Ministry, Nani Hendiarti, said in a statement released by her ministry here on Wednesday.
She added that Indonesia, as a country with a long coastline and several islands, is fully aware of the need to deal with the challenges presented by plastic pollution, which has emerged as a transnational issue.
She informed that since 2018, her office has been implementing the national action on marine waste, under which the nation has managed to reduce plastic waste leakage by 42 percent and is planning to further cut waste by 70 percent.
“We have been striving to improve infrastructure, utilize technology, and encourage a change of behavior in society,” she said, adding that support from the UAE is vital for ecocentric initiatives in Indonesia.
She said that the MoU, which was signed on the sidelines of the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) Global Conference, also affirms Indonesia’s commitment to working with the international community to create a plastic waste-free future for future generations.
The official also extended an invitation to the UAE government to participate in the 10th World Water Forum, which will take place from May 18–25 this year in Bali province.
