RRI.CO.ID, Banyuwangi – Indonesia strengthened the role of coastal communities as the main drivers of the ASEAN blue economy through the ASEAN-ID Blue forum, held in Banyuwangi, East Java, on July 17–18, 2026.

The forum, themed Community-Led Blue Economy: Advancing Coastal Conservation, Sustainable Livelihoods and Tourism Cooperation in ASEAN, focused on sustainable fisheries management, marine ecosystem conservation and restoration, strengthening fisheries value chains, developing marine ecotourism, and empowering coastal cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Expert Staff for Economic Diplomacy at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zelda Wulan Kartika, said the future of ASEAN’s blue economy will increasingly depend on the region’s ability to empower coastal communities as key drivers of development.

“The next chapter of ASEAN’s blue economy will be shaped by places like Banyuwangi, where cooperatives, small-scale fishers, MSMEs, and conservation groups are translating regional commitments into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives,” Zelda said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received in Jakarta on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

The ASEAN-ID Blue forum was organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Banyuwangi Regency Government, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The event brought together around 135 participants, including representatives from ASEAN member states, East Asia Summit (EAS) participating countries, Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) members, the ASEAN Secretariat, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), government agencies, academics, international organizations, and community groups.

In addition to participating in dialogue sessions and sharing best practices, participants visited Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih Lateng and Bangsring Underwater to observe firsthand fisheries downstream development, cooperative strengthening, value-added fisheries products, and the transformation of fishing communities toward community-based marine conservation and tourism.

Banyuwangi Regent, Ipuk Fiestiandani said hosting ASEAN-ID Blue reflects the region’s commitment to developing coastal areas while maintaining a balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community welfare.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Ambassador to ASEAN Joanna Anderson emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences among ASEAN countries, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and other regional partners to develop practical, community-centered approaches to the blue economy.

Through the forum, Indonesia also strengthened collaboration among governments, academics, development partners, the private sector, and coastal communities to support the implementation of the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework and the ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan 2026–2030, while promoting inclusive and sustainable coastal development.