The Government of Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC) located in the Kura Kura Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Bali, Sunday (19/5) afternoon.

The agreement was represented by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The IMRC is a cooperation agreement between the Governments of Indonesia and the UAE, after Indonesia was appointed as Chair of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate. The two countries' initiative aims to restore and protect 15 million hectares of mangroves globally by 2030, as well as enhance research and innovation, and encourage knowledge exchange on mangroves and the global community.

The ground breaking was led by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Luhut Binsar Panjaitan and the Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC).

According to Luhut, the ground breaking was held in conjunction with the World Water Forum (WWF) in Nusa Dua Bali. This ground breaking marks the start of the IMRC construction.

He emphasized that the complete physical development will be carried out in the near future. The UAE government will invest in the IMRC while experts and researchers will come from many countries in the world.

“Construction of the physical building will begin soon. At least next year it will start with a lot of local labor,” Luhut said.

President Director of KEK Kura Kura Bali Tuti Hadiputranto said that her party, together with the central and regional governments, strongly supports the international initiative in building the IMRC in Bali.

“KEK Kura Kura Bali supports the initiative of mangrove restoration and conservation in Indonesia which is contained in the collaboration between the governments of Indonesia and the UAE through the construction of the International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC). This is in line with our sustainability commitment to the environment and strengthens our green initiatives through mangrove conservation and other environmental conservation,” said Tuti Hadiputranto.

IMRC will be built on 2.5 hectares of land consisting of various functions, especially research. Based on government directives and regulations, the architecture of this development will emphasize natural factors, as well as sustainability, green design and also elements of Balinese culture.

The Kura Kura Bali SEZ's sustainability commitment is not only carried out through environmental conservation initiatives and empowerment of the surrounding community but is also expressed in the existence of the United in Diversity Bali Campus (UID) which is a world-class center for education, research, innovation and environmental conservation.

“In line with one of the missions of UID Campus which emphasizes the spirit of collaboration, Kura Kura Bali not only continues to support various initiatives in the field of research and innovation, but also the empowerment of local communities by providing programs in the field of education and culture for the community in Serangan Village,” Tuti concluded. (Z-3)