SEAToday.com, Batam-The Indonesian National Development Planning Ministry (Bappenas) held the Indonesia Development Forum 2023 with the theme "Advancing Blue Economy Innovation and collaboration in Batam, Riau Islands on December 18 to 19 2023. 

Through this theme, it is hoped that ideas for blue economy development will emerge in responding to the challenges of managing marine resources with high economic value, improving the welfare of coastal communities, and the important thing is without setting aside sustainable aspects.  

Indonesia Development Forum activities is also a forum for development practitioners in the public, non-profit, and academic sectors to share ideas and new approaches in facing various major development challenges.

Indonesia already has the blue economy roadmap that can guide economic transformation toward Indonesia's vision for 2045.

And to reach the goals, there are some strategic action plans:

1. Phase I-2023 to 2024 focuses on strengthening the blue economy ecosystem consolidation.
2. Phase II- 2025 to 2029 focuses on the development of the blue economy as a new source of growth for Indonesia.
3. Phase III- 2030 to 2034 focuses on the expansion of the Indonesian blue economy sector through diversification.
4. Phase IV- 2035 to 2039 focuses on increasing the contribution and competitiveness of the Indonesian blue economy. 
5. Phase V- 2040 to 2045 focuses on advancing a sustainable blue economy in Indonesia.

The Deputy for Economy Affairs of the Indonesian National Development Planning Ministry, Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, said that the potential of the blue economy is huge. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Projects or OECD also said that the blue economy to reach 30 trillion us dollars driven by the growth of port activities and fish processing.

In this activity, three blue economy panel sessions have also taken place namely plenary sessions a marketplace session, and a special session which were attended by development practitioners in the public non-profit and academia.

In conclusion, through this event, the development of a blue economy will play a role in supporting Indonesia in achieving the sustainable development goal, especially utilizing marine resources for sustainable development.