Delegates of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) was honored to be invited as a speaker at the Jakarta Futures Forum: Securing Seas, Strengthening Cooperation, held in Jakarta, Indonesia on August 5–6, 2025. This high-level international forum was organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India, in collaboration with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Indonesia, and supported by leading regional institutions and national governments.
 
Bringing together participants from over 50 countries, the forum convened a broad spectrum of voices including representatives from governments, multilateral organizations, the private sector, civil society, and the startup ecosystem. The event served as a dynamic platform for dialogue on enhancing maritime security and advancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Representing SPF, Ippeita Nishida, Senior Fellow in the Japan-US and Security Studies Unit, contributed as a panelist in the session titled "Securing the Blue Commons: Cooperation for an Indo-Pacific Maritime Order." Citing recent initiatives such as Defense Minister Nakatani’s OCEAN concept and defense equipment transfer, Mr. Nishida provided his view on Japan’s intention to explore further strategic role in the Indo-Pacific, particularly within the context of the volatile international relations. His remarks underscored Japan’s commitment to multilateral maritime cooperation, freedom of navigation, and rule-based order in the region. 

Session: Securing the Blue Commons: Cooperation for an Indo-Pacific Maritime Order
--Speakers:
　Paco Milhiet, Visiting Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
 　Ippeita Nishida, Senior Fellow, Japan-US and Security Studies Unit, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
 　Sayantan Haldar, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, India
　Nilanthi Samaranayake, Adjunct Fellow, East-West Centre, United States of America
 --Moderator:
　Jackline Kagume, Programme Officer, Constitution, Law and Economy Program, Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya

Michael C. Huang, Senior Research Fellow at the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, participated in the Studio Session titled “Faster Routes, Stronger Trade” at the Jakarta Futures Forum. In his remarks, Dr. Huang emphasized the critical need to integrate blue carbon considerations into new port infrastructure investments, underscoring that ecological integrity must be maintained to safeguard the resilience of coastal regions.
 
As a member of the Advisory Board of the Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN)—a platform supported by the World Economic Forum—Dr. Huang further stressed the importance of a community-based approach in ocean-related industries and innovation ecosystems. He highlighted that ensuring inclusive benefit-sharing among stakeholders is vital to foster a regenerative and sustainable blue impact finance mechanism, blending public, private, and community-based capital.
 
Panelists in the session shared a common narrative that building such inclusive and transparent platforms will be essential in advancing future dialogue and strategic thinking—especially in relation to emerging trade corridors such as the Northern Sea Route.

Studio Session “Faster Routes, Stronger Trade”
--Speakers:
　Sinderpal Singh, Senior Fellow and Assistant Director of Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, RSIS and Coordinator of Regional Security Architecture Programme, and South Asia Programme, IDSS, Singapore
　Michael C. Huang, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan 
--Moderator:
　Victoria Panova, Head, BRICS Expert Council; Vice Rector, HSE University; Russian W20 Sherpa, Russia

The Jakarta Futures Forum served as a vibrant arena for multilateral discussion, drawing participation from diverse global actors. The involvement of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, through its expert contributions, added depth to the forum’s discourse and helped strengthen Japan’s presence in international ocean governance and maritime cooperation. This engagement opened new opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnership in advancing a sustainable Indo-Pacific maritime future.