(Phnom Penh): “Fisheries play a significant role in the human and economic development of ASEAN countries. However, this sector is prone to environmental and health challenges. It is imperative that we collaborate to enhance the quality and safety of fish products,” highlighted Indonesian Ambassador Santo Darmosumarto during an event on fisheries cooperation at Cambodiana Hotel, Phnom Penh on 6 October 2025.

During that event, the representatives of Indonesia’s Marine and Fisheries Quality Assurance Agency and Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries signed a joint statement outlining the commitment to work together on cooperation in this field. There were also representatives of partners including the EU Delegation and UNIDO.

Held on the sidelines of the CAPFish-Capture End-Project Technical Workshop, the signing ceremony was witnessed by the Indonesian Ambassador and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest, and Fisheries, H.E. Prak David. It is hoped that the signing of the Joint Statement would pave the way for the conclusion of a draft MoU on Fisheries Cooperation currently negotiated between the two sides.

Ambassador Santo stated his confidence that Indonesia has over the years established a quality and safety assurance system that is internationally recognized, including by the European Union. “I am convinced that Indonesian participants in today’s forum would be able to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge to their Cambodian counterparts,” added Ambassador Santo.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Prak David underlined the value of the signing of the Joint Statement in further strengthening bilateral partnerships in fisheries and aquaculture. While Indonesia may be an archipelago made up of more than 17 thousand islands, there is much to learn from Cambodia’s developments in fisheries and aquaculture.
=FRESH NEWS