Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani has said that the 2nd Indonesia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP) will emphasize the importance of maritime cooperation among archipelagic countries for regional stability.
“This forum aims to develop partnerships in various fields, including maritime issues and connectivity with countries in the Pacific region,” she said in a statement received here on Tuesday.
She expressed the hope that with the theme of “Partnership for Prosperity: Fostering Regional Connectivity and Inclusive Development,” the 2nd IPPP will contribute to efforts to increase stability in the Pacific region.
“This theme is applicable if we make the Pacific a peaceful and stable region. Without peace, we cannot develop connectivity and realize inclusive development,” she said.
The DPR will also raise other important issues for discussion at the forum, one of which is sustainable development, she added.
Maharani said that the first IPPP forum was held in 2018 with the aim of building connectivity and cooperation between the DPR and other parliaments of archipelagic and island countries in the Pacific region.
“As one big family in the Pacific, we must work together in building mutual trust and understanding in order to create peace and stability in the region,” she added.
For this reason, countries participating in the IPPP have the same standing and must comply with international law and the United Nations (UN) charter, she said.
The IPPP forum is expected to be a platform for exchanging ideas, strengthening cooperation, and producing real solutions to common challenges.
The 2nd IPPP, which will be attended by parliamentary delegates from 16 countries in the Pacific region, will be held on July 24–26, 2024, in Jakarta.