Jakarta, lawyer.kompasone.com - Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, Yasonna H. Laoly, invites Asian - African countries that are members of the Asian - African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) to take active steps to become equal dialogue partners with the organization others at the global level. This was conveyed by the Minister of Law and Human Rights in front of the ambassadors of AALCO member countries at the Breakfast Meeting held in Jakarta (2/10). On this occasion, Yasonna emphasized that AALCO as an inter-governmental organization in Asia and Africa has great power to voice the interests of Asian and African countries in various fields.
AALCO is the result of the Asia - Africa Summit which was held in Bandung in 1955. A year later, this organization was officially founded and since then has been actively discussing issues of concern to its member countries in various fields such as international law, maritime law, law trade, and so on. Discussion of issues is carried out through annual forums (Annual Sessions) held in AALCO member countries. This year, The 61st AALCO Annual Session will be held in Bali on 16 – 20 October 2023.
"This forum is the right forum for Indonesia and other AALCO member countries to discuss important issues related to international legal policy and voice the interests of Asian and African countries at the global level. AALCO must be able to become an equal partner with other global organizations that have a strong bargaining position. "This bargaining power is important so that we do not submit to policies that are detrimental to the interests of Asian and African countries," stressed Yasonna.
Some of the main discussion agendas at the 61st AALCO Annual Session include issues related to violations of international law in Palestine, environmental issues and sustainable development, international trade and investment law, asset recovery, and maritime law which also includes the issue of illegal fishing.
Regarding illegal fishing, Indonesia submitted a concept note to categorize illegal fishing as Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) or transnational organized crime. So far, the issue of illegal fishing has been seen as an administrative problem and not a legal problem. At this Annual Session, Indonesia through the Ministry of Law and Human Rights encouraging AALCO member countries to include illegal fishing as an organized crime.
The financial impact of illegal fishing in Asia and Africa is quite large. Economic losses due to illegal fishing in the ASEAN region in 2019 reached US$ 6 billion, with Indonesia and Vietnam being the countries experiencing the largest losses. Another report states that illegal fishing causes losses of US$ 2.3 billion per year in four African countries, including Gambia and Senegal which are countries
member of AALCO.
"Seeing the large financial impact of illegal fishing activities, we invite AALCO member countries to include illegal fishing as a transnational organized crime that can be prosecuted under international law. AALCO must be able to protect the interests of its members from pressure from other parties who state that illegal fishing is merely an administrative problem. "Cooperation and support between countries are the key words to ensure that the marine wealth of AALCO member countries, including Indonesia, is not further eroded," said Yasonna.
Supporting Programs for The 61st AALCO Annual Session*
Apart from the sessions discussing various important issues above, the 61st AALCO Annual Session every day is also filled with several side events and supporting programs, including the Business and Investment Forum, Asset Recovery, International Humanitarian Law, and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. The above activity was held in the form of a panel discussion featuring expert speakers from within and outside the country. Another supporting program held during the event was an exhibition
presenting 60 booths displaying local handicraft products, as well as booths from representatives of Ministries/Institutions participating at the AALCO annual meeting.
"Various discussions in the side events sessions were an interesting part of this activity. We hope that the results of this discussion can be included in the annual session discussion agenda in the coming years. We hope that various discussions at the annual session will produce concrete recommendations that can be brought into dialogue at the global level together with other organizations such as the UN or other world bodies. "This recommendation is AALCO's stance regarding issues of concern to member countries so that they can be followed up by producing favorable international policies," concluded Yasonna.
