KOTA KINABALU, 29 SEPTEMBER 2025: Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the Blue Economy is identified as one of the priorities within the agenda to advance economic complexity, supporting the transition towards sustainable and inclusive growth.

The 13th MP, Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, said, sets out clear priorities to advance the Blue Economy initiative, particularly in strengthening governance and marine spatial planning, fostering industries such as aquaculture, shipping and eco-tourism, as well as preserving biodiversity through marine protected areas and community- based conservation.

Hanifah said this in her keynote address on the role of the Blue Economy in strengthening resilience and driving regional prosperity at the Third ASEAN Blue Economy Forum here on Monday.

She also stressed that Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair in 2025, will continue to advance the Blue Economy initiative as a defining pillar of regional cooperation.

She underlined that only through closer collaboration can ASEAN unlock the full potential of its seas, coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as inland freshwater resources, to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

According to Hanifah, the Blue Economy is not just a concept, it is a call to action, adding that the Blue Economy concept emerged from the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, defined as the sustainable use of resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.

It represents a balance between economic opportunity, social well-being and environmental stewardship.

“By harnessing ocean resources responsibly, we can drive growth, create high value jobs, secure food supply and meet clean energy needs while safeguarding marine biodiversity and coastal resilience.

“The potential of Blue Economy is immersed, from sustainable marine tourism and aquaculture to renewable ocean energy to transforming marine logistics into a greener, more efficient sector. If developed sustainably, these opportunities can unlock new engines of growth for our economies and provide lasting benefits for our people,” she said.

Yet oceans face a multi-degradational crisis, rising sea levels, deteriorating marine habitats, declining fish stocks, marine pollution and climate change that threaten food security, coastal communities and livelihoods across Asia.

In addressing these challenges, Hanifah stressed that equal emphasis must be placed on nurturing and restoring marine habitats.

This includes concerted efforts to clean up our waters to reduce pollution, implement coral reef restoration to repopulate marine ecosystems and plant seagrass meadows that serve as vital nurseries for marine life and natural carbon sinks.

Equally important, efforts to protect endangered marine species must be intensified though survival is critical to maintaining a balanced and resilient ecosystem.

Such initiatives are essential not only for biodiversity, but also for strengthening the resilience of coastal communities that depend on healthy oceans for their livelihood, she said adding that without urgent action, the cost of inaction will surpass the benefits of growth.

“By advancing the blue economy, we are securing both our environment and our prosperity. This vision aligns with ASEAN’s Blue Economy Framework. It also reinforces our commitment to Sustainable Development Goals,” she stressed.

Through these efforts, Hanifah said ASEAN positions itself at the forefront of ocean stewardship.

She pointed out that advancing the blue economy also offers a change to narrow development gaps and ensure inclusivity as many of ASEAN’s coastal and island communities depend heavily on the ocean.

Through sustainable fisheries, ecotourism and community-led management and skilled development, blue economy initiatives can uplift local communities, empower small businesses and promote more equitable growth.

“The 13th Malaysian Plan, our five-year National Development Plan, recently tabled by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, charts the final leg of Malaysia’s journey to developed nation status. The plan recognises the blue economy as a national priority and outlines a comprehensive approach to realise its potential,” she said.

This includes strengthening governance, coastal and marine areas, enhancing strategic industries such as aquaculture, green shipping and renewable ocean energy, as well as preserving marine biodiversity through marine protected areas and community-based coastal management. These strategies, built upon the 12th Malaysian Plan, will deepen Malaysia’s transformation towards a more inclusive and sustainable growth model.

In this regard, Malaysia is currently formulating the Malaysian Blue Economy Blueprint, which will serve as a comprehensive framework to harmonise policies, strategies, investments across sectors linked to our oceans and coasts.

“We hope this blueprint will also contribute to ASEAN’s collective aspirations, serving as a model for national-level implementation that complements the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework.

“The oceans that surround us know our borders, and they are assured our efforts to protect and harness them. ASEAN has a unique opportunity to pioneer a blue economy model that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive.

“For instance, we can strengthen cooperation in areas such as sustainable tourism by protecting marine parks and coastal destinations while ensuring local community benefit. We can also advance green ports and shipping through alternative fuels of modern bartering solutions and sustainable maritime logistics.

“We should also collaborate more closely in fisheries and aquaculture by stepping up monitoring, control and surveillance to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing while promoting innovation in aquaculture technology,” said Hanifah.

To complement these efforts, ASEAN, according to Hanifah, must plot the potential of blue financing and innovation through blue bonds, blended finance and carbon credit mechanisms while deepening research, collaboration, technology transfer and capacity building across the region.

“Each ASEAN member state brings unique strengths, from advancing port operations to rich marine biodiversity and world-class research activities. By sharing knowledge and scaling up best practices, ASEAN can establish itself as a global leader in shaping the future of the blue economy.

“The ocean unites us, sustains millions of livelihoods and our shared heritage that we must protect. As Malaysia hosts this forum, we reaffirm our commitment under the 13th Malaysian Plan and through the Malaysia Blue Economy Blueprint to integrate the blue economy to generate prosperity for our people, ensure sustainability for our environment and strengthen ASEAN’s role as a lead in ocean stewardship.

“We carry a moral duty to act not only for ourselves, but for the generations yet to come, who deserve to inherit a region where oceans remain a source of life, prosperity and inspiration.

“Let this forum be the catalyst that transforms dialogue into action, partnership into tangible impact. Together we can ensure the blue economy becomes not just a vision, but a transformative reality for the region and future generations,” she stressed.