RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Seychelles is promoting its “blue nature capital” approach as a model for sustainable growth, identifying Indonesia as a key partner. The initiative focuses on advancing ocean-based development while preserving marine ecosystems, a senior envoy said during a recent discussion.

Speaking at VOI Talk on April 18, 2026, Nico Barito underscored rethinking how oceans are valued. “Actually, the ocean is a capital,” he said, highlighting their long-term economic value beyond extraction.

Barito described the concept as “blue nature capital,” where ecosystem health directly determines economic worth. “By looking at the nature capital, we have the opportunity to capitalize the ocean and raise funding because our ocean is an asset,” he said.

He added that this approach can support development, capacity building, and conservation simultaneously. “If your ocean is damaged, the value drops,” he stressed, underscoring sustainability as central to the model.

The approach builds on Seychelles’ experience launching the world’s first sovereign blue bond in 2018. “The reason that we launch the blue bonds in 2018 is just a model that how our ocean can be valued and how this ocean can bring money in for the development of the economy, for the capacity building, and most of all, to manage and protect the conservation,” Barito said.

In addition, he said Indonesia stands out as a natural partner due to its archipelagic geography and marine biodiversity. “The fish mobilize, migrate from Seychelles, Indian Ocean, it go to Indonesia. And it go to Pacific too,” he said.

“And on certain monsoon, the fish migrate back from Pacific through Indonesia to Seychelles,” he conveyed. These patterns, he noted, highlight Indonesia’s strategic role in sustaining global marine ecosystems.

“This proves that actually, we cannot forget Indonesia,” Barito said, pointing to its coral reefs and habitats as key breeding grounds. He added that such ecosystems play a vital role in maintaining global marine life cycles.

Beyond ecology, Seychelles sees strong potential for Indonesia to expand ocean-based economic strategies across remote islands. “We are so eager and anxious to share our experience to Indonesia… so that at the end of the day, many of the islands of Indonesia can benefit from the experience of Seychelles and elevate the economy of the people,” he said.

Barito noted Seychelles’ development has been driven by services, tourism, and fisheries tied closely to ocean health. He suggested this model could support Indonesia in strengthening local economies while maintaining environmental sustainability.

He also signaled openness to broader collaboration, including partnerships with African countries. “Any collaborations between Indonesia and African countries that we can facilitate and we can be of assistance, we are most welcome,” he said.

As global focus intensifies on sustainability, Seychelles’ blue nature capital framework positions Indonesia as a pivotal partner. The model combines financing tools and ecological awareness to shape the future of the blue economy.