Indonesia’s strategic role at the 24th Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) Global Forum in Athens last May marked an important moment to disseminate the results of CFI Indonesia’s implementation. This global forum was attended by FAO, UNDP, UNEP, WWF, NOAA, and IOC/UNESCO.

The Indonesian delegation comprised seven members, including Moh Abdi Suhufan (Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on Fisher and Fishing Crew Protection), Syahril Abd. Rauf (Director of PSDI Management/NPC), and members of the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia management team. Indonesia demonstrated its strategic position through the GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia and received high praise from the GEF Secretariat for achievements such as implementing quota-based measured fishing and establishing a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Buru Island. The delegation also presented internationally recognized best practices, including Sasi Co-Management and Sasi Label.

The press conference on Indonesia's strategic role at the 24^th LME Global Forum was held at the Mina Bahari IV Building, MMAF, Jakarta (May 26, 2025)

The outcomes of the 24th LME Forum in Athens were shared with national media through this press conference. MMAF’s Public Relations invited various national media, including TVOne, Tribun, Antara, Tempo, Kompas, CNBC, Detik, TVRI, Liputan6, MNC, Sindo, Elshinta, IVOOXID, Pinusi, VOI, IMN, Uritanet, TV Jakpus, RCTI, Kompas TV, SEA Today, BTV, Garuda, CNN TV, Nusantara TV, RTV, and Indosiar.

Dodiet Rachmadi Slamet (Head of the Fisheries Vessels Onboard Monitoring Work Unit, Directorate General of Capture Fisheries) and Mohammad Abdi Suhufan attended the press conference as its speakers.

Antara News highlighted the event under the headline “Indonesia Discussed PIT Policy Achievements and Gender Issues at the 24th LME”. The article focused on MMAF’s presentation of the strategic achievements of the GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia. It quoted Abdi stating that this project aims to build an ecosystem-based fisheries model that can be replicated nationally and globally.

“This project is one of the implementations of the measured fishing (PIT) policy to address global sustainable fisheries management challenges,” said Abdi, as quoted by Antara News.

A press conference titled Indonesia’s Strategic Role at the 24th Global LME Forum in Athens was held at the Mina Bahari IV Building with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), with Mohammad Abdi Suhufan, Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on Fisher and Fishing Crew Protection, serving as the speakers. Jakarta, May 26, 2025

Detik.com reported the event with the headline “Indonesia Joins Global Forum, Seeks Grant and Loan Funds for Marine Sector”. The article outlined the profile and progress of the CFI Indonesia GEF-6 project as an ecosystem-based fisheries mode that is replicable both nationally and globally. The article also emphasized the Indonesian delegation’s efforts to identify new funding sources for supporting MMAF programs.

“MMAF is currently identifying new funding sources to support the national budget (APBN), which is under some fiscal adjustment,” Abdi said, quoted by Detik.com.

Beritaja.com published a report titled “Indonesia Discussed PIT Policy Achievements and Gender Issues at the 24th LME”. It featured the progress of CFI Indonesia, including: 5,238 fishers (3,522 of them male) benefited from the project; 109 fishers obtained K3 (occupational health and safety) basic training certification, with a placement rate of 78%; 58 Joint Business Groups (KUB) were formed with around 430 members; 150 fishers have been insured under Employment BPJS; 1,637 fisherwomen received livelihood empowerment and capacity-building support so that they produced 1,927 processed fishery products; and the mentored groups recorded an increase in income to Rp111.8 million in 2024 — a 193% increase from 2023 (Rp38 million).

“We assist women fishers in managing group work. Our aim is to improve the process so they don’t need to work overtime. We also continue promoting downstream diversification,” said Dodiet, quoted by Beritaja.com.

During the press conference regarding Indonesia’s Strategic Role at the 24th Global LME Forum in Athens at the Mina Bahari IV Building, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Jakarta, on May 26, 2025, Dodiet Rachmadi Slamet, Head of the Fisheries Vessels Onboard Monitoring Working Team at MMAF’s Directorate General of Capture Fisheries, presented the progress of CFI Indonesia.

Indonesiamaritimenews.com also published a report titled “24th LME Forum in Athens: Indonesia Highlights Achievements in Measured Fishing and Small-Scale Fisher Programs.” The article by IndonesiaMaritime revealed the impact of the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia program, as conveyed by the Head of the Fisheries Vessels Onboard Monitoring Working Team at the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries. He explained that through this project initiative, MMAF has made a tangible impact on small-scale fishers.

Dodiet highlighted the GEF-6’s technical achievements for small-scale fishers. A total of 5,238 fishers (3,522 of them were male) were recorded as beneficiaries of the CFI Indonesia project. Additionally, 30 fishers have been affiliated with the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), according to Indonesiamaritimenews.com.

Kompassindo headlined its coverage with “Indonesia’s Strategic Role at the 24th LME Global Forum in Athens”. The media emphasized MMAF’s focus on empowering fisherwomen through training, marketing support for processed products, and community capacity-building based on local data.

To support this program’s implementation, MMAF will appoint local individuals with strong community commitment as change agents at the village level, according to Kompassindo.com.

As developed through CFI Indonesia’s “Champion” program, fisherwomen who benefit from MMAF initiatives are becoming community drivers and are capable of spreading the project’s results to others.