Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a strategic Cooperation Agreement focused on strengthening the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, academic exchange, and environmental protection. The MoU signing was conducted by UGM Rector, Prof. Ova Emilia, and CEO of IOJI, Dr. Mas Achmad Santosa, S.H., LL.M., marking the beginning of collaboration between the two institutions in the Law of Anthropocene, Environmental Law, Climate Change, and Marine Plastic Waste Management.

The UGM Rector welcomed the collaboration between IOJI and UGM. She hoped that through this collaboration, UGM and IOJI could develop a legal framework adaptive to the Anthropocene era, strengthen scientific analysis of the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems, and support evidence-based policies in managing marine plastic waste. “UGM is committed to making real contributions to providing solutions related to global environmental issues,” said the UGM Rector at the UGM campus in Jakarta on Friday (September 19).

Ova also stated that IOJI is known as an influential think tank and advocacy organization, with an extensive international network and direct experience in formulating environmental law policies with the Indonesian government. “This collaboration opens up opportunities to expand strategic international networks, including access to funding from global donors focused on environmental issues, climate change, and marine governance,” she added.

CEO of IOJI, Dr. Mas Achmad Santosa, also expressed his appreciation for UGM for this collaboration. He hopes that this collaboration can continue with research and publications in the maritime and legal fields. “We certainly hope that a new field, law of the anthropocene, will become a collaborative area between UGM and IOJI,” he said.

On the same occasion, Dr. Hasan Wirajuda, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2001-2009 and Co-Founder of IOJI, also emphasized the importance of synergy between academia, government, and civil society. “Collaboration between sectors, such as academia, government, and civil society, is crucial in maintaining environmental sustainability and equitable marine governance,” he said.

This commitment to cooperation was further strengthened by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the Dean of the Faculty of Law, UGM, Dahliana Hasan, S.H., M.Tax., Ph.D., and the CEO of IOJI regarding the Development of Law in the Anthropocene in Indonesia. Furthermore, an agreement was signed between the Head of the UGM Strategic Management Bureau (BMS), Wirastuti Widyatmanti, S.Si., Ph.D., and the CEO of IOJI, focusing on the Tridharma of Higher Education in Environmental Protection Efforts.

This collaboration between UGM and IOJI is expected to be the first step towards building closer collaboration between the two institutions in providing academic and policy solutions that benefit the nation and state.

Author: Lintang Andwyna (translated)