Global Gateway: The European Union and France’s Agence française de développement strengthen their support to Indonesia on sustainable ocean management

Of the total EU grants, EUR 3.55 million will fund activities led by the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), while EUR 3.45 million will finance initiatives by the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN). This EU funding complements two AFD sovereign loans: 

• Eco Fishing Port Project (KKP): EUR 98.6 million for modernising four Indonesian fishing ports.
• KrisNa Project (BRIN): EUR 89 million for acquiring two state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research vessels. 

    

The new grants will support advanced training, ocean biodiversity and climate data collection, coastal ecosystem restoration, and measures to reduce the environmental footprint of port activities. By strengthening the scientific foundation for policymaking, they aim to enhance marine and coastal resource management, address climate change, and safeguard marine ecosystems in Indonesia. The projects will be implemented over five years. 

Dian Lestari, Director of Loans and Grants, Ministry of Finance said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to sustainable ocean management in Indonesia. Through this grant, Government of Indonesia with collaboration between European Union and AFD are investing in the future of our marine ecosystems, ensuring that they remain a source of life, livelihood, and biodiversity for generations to come. Let this partnership serve as a beacon of collaboration, innovation, and responsibility in protecting our oceans.”

Laksana Tri Handoko, Chairman of BRIN said: “BRIN is honored to be a key partner in this significant collaboration with the EU, AFD and KKP. This partnership underscores the importance of evidence-based research in shaping sustainable ocean management strategies for Indonesia. With the grant of the EU through the Global Gateway initiative, we will strengthen marine scientific research ecosystem to provide data and information crucial to support national priorities (Asta Cita), strengthen the capacity of the research fleet management, scientific operators, engineers and researchers and strengthen collaboration with global partners in marine scientific research. This initiative not only enhances Indonesia’s blue economy but also contributes to global efforts in achieving sustainable development. We look forward to the impactful outcomes of this cooperation for the benefit of present and future generations”.

A grant of 3.55 million Euros

Mr. Tri Aris Wibowo, Director of Fishing Ports at KKP said: “KKP would like to express our appreciation to the European Union and AFD, along with our colleagues in BRIN and MOF for the signing of the grant agreement. KKP looks forward to the implementation of this project and we are confident that this project is aligned with KKP’s efforts to the implementation of sustainable fisheries management through the Quota-based Fishing Policy and Eco Fishing Port Project. The grant of 3.55 million Euros will help KKP to overcome challenges in policy implementation and the activities will include the support for policy implementation, catch data collection campaign, and stock assessment, traceability, conservation efforts near to the eco fishing port locations, and improving product quality. We also look forward to the project collaboration with BRIN to support stock assessment efforts in Indonesia, as this will be a key important step in the sustainable management of fisheries resources in Indonesia. Along with this grant project and the Eco Fishing port project, KKP is also working on fishing port development projects namely Integrated Fishing Port and International Fish Markets. All projects will be aligned to support the implementation of quota-based fishing policy in Indonesia. KKP looks forward to the collaboration with our colleagues in AFD, EU, BAPPENAS, and Ministry of Finance in the blue economy initiatives through the improvement of sustainable fisheries and management efforts.”

H.E. Denis Chaibi, EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam said: “The EU and the Member States’ partnerships with Indonesia support President Prabowo’s Asta Cita. In this case, the EU and France are advancing Indonesia’s food security and its blue economy through sustainable ocean management. By enhancing Indonesia’s scientific research, promoting sustainable fishing ports, and strengthening institutions like BRIN and KKP, the EU and Indonesia are investing in high-quality human resources that will drive the nation’s marine sector forward. Through the Global Gateway initiative, Team Europe is proud to partner with Indonesia, not just by modernising infrastructure but also by expanding export opportunities.”

H.E. Fabien Penone, Ambassador of France to Indonesia, Timor Leste and ASEAN Reminded that “2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and France—a milestone that will be celebrated in many meaningful ways, with an emphasis on our shared commitment to the oceans. 2025 will also be marked by the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) organized by France and Costa Rica in Nice, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. France, with its vast maritime territory—spanning over 10 million square kilometers, the second largest in the world—has developed significant expertise in ocean research, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The strong scientific cooperation between our two countries is a great asset and can play a pivotal role in achieving the goals of these projects”

Bridging the gap between science and policy

“Ocean remains one of the most unknown areas of our planet, and we need to better know it in order to better manage it. This project will support this idea, by not only improving the knowledge of the Indonesian seas and of its biodiversity, but by bridging the gap between science and policy. I am glad that a Team Europe approach can maximize these impacts”, highlighted Mr Yann Martres, AFD country director in Indonesia.

Contacts:  

EU Delegation to Indonesia

delegation-indonesia-info@eeas.europa.eu 

AFD Indonesia

afdjakarta@afd.fr