BelitongToday, Sijuk – Representative of the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea (UN-DOALOS), Marco Boccia, was impressed with the Bedulang banquet organized by the Provincial Government of Bangka Belitung and the Government of Belitung Regency to the delegates participating in the World Ocean Assessment Regional Workshop at the Maritime Museum, Tuesday (13/12) evening.
“Sitting on the floor and eating together is a family way of eating. I come from Italy, so gathering with my family and eating is one very important thing,” Marco told BelitongToday after the event.
According to the man who is the Program Management Officer of the UN-DOALOS, the concept of chatting while eating can build a good relationships. This concept of eating Bedulang where young people give food to their elders while chatting is important.
“Sharing food from the young to the old, the idea is to eat across generations from junior to senior while sharing stories and experiences. This is also what we do here, we eat with people of different backgrounds and different ages, also from different countries, so this is very meaningful,” he said.
Regarding the WOA Regional Workshop which will be held in Belitung from December 13 to 15, according to him, the Indonesian government has implemented it quite well.
“This event is great. The Indonesian government has hosted us very well, especially in Belitung since the first time we arrived. We bring together maritime experts from all over the world. Very good group. The atmosphere provided by the host also makes the activity unique and fun,” he continued.
The World Ocean Assessment Regional Workshop is an activity to collect information from experts from various regions in the world related to marine aspects. Indonesia became the host for the second time. Previously in 2018 Indonesia also hosted this meeting in Bali.
“We want to hear what experts from Indonesia and other archipelagic countries need and what capacities need to be developed. That information is which we will later bring to the UN General Assembly,” he said.
He said that Indonesia is a very active member of the UN, not only because it often hosts various activities, but also involved experts in the process of each activity.
“So Indonesia is very active. We are very close even during activities in New York. Indonesia has also tried to implement our final goal, SDGs 2030 which is the main agenda of the United Nations, namely protecting life below the sea,” he concluded. (angga)
