(AseanAll) — Indonesia successfully hosted the 34th Workshop on Managing Potential Conflicts in the South China Sea and the 20th Working Group Meeting on the Marine and Coastal Environment in the South China Sea, held in Bali,Indonesia from 17 to 19 September 2025.
The workshop was convened by the Foreign Policy Strategy Agency (FPSA/BSKLN) in collaboration with the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), the Prof. Hasjim Djalal Center for Southeast Asian Studies, and the Provincial Government of Bali.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Head of FPSA, Ambassador Abdul Kadir Jailani, underscored the importance of prioritizing dialogue and cooperation among all parties in the South China Sea region to address ongoing geopolitical challenges.
The event brought together more than 67 academics and maritime practitioners from seven participating parties—Indonesia, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Chinese Taipei. Participants exchanged experiences and best practices in coastal zone management and marine ecosystem conservation.
Discussions highlighted the pressing impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, land subsidence, and biodiversity loss, all of which pose serious threats to the South China Sea region. In response, participants explored proposals for technical cooperation on integrated coastal zone management as well as joint research initiatives on coastal water quality assessment.
As part of the program, participants visited the Turtle Conservation and Education Center and the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone, where they learned about Indonesia’s best practices in turtle conservation and sustainable coastal management. The workshop concluded with a sea turtle release ceremony, symbolizing the collective commitment to safeguarding the region’s increasingly vulnerable marine ecosystems.
First convened in 1990, the Workshop has evolved into a Track 1.5 dialogue forum, serving as an important platform for promoting peace, stability, prosperity, and cooperation in the South China Sea. It also stands as a living legacy of the late Ambassador Prof. Hasjim Djalal, whose vision continues to inspire constructive engagement in the region.
