Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno said  on Monday (18/5/2026), that global maritime law is firmly established and does not require structural amendments. Instead, the international community should focus heavily on its robust implementation and enforcement. 

"In my opinion, it does not need to be changed. If we renegotiate the law of the sea convention, clauses that are already secure might open up to changes again," he remarked following a maritime law symposium at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta, as cited by antaranews.com.

The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains fully capable of adapting to modern technological shifts, including underwater infrastructure and defense innovations like Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).

He clarified that while UNCLOS does not explicitly name modern technologies like AUVs, such equipment is legally recognized as vessels subject to international regulatory frameworks. Similarly, provisions originally governing submarine cables naturally extend to modern data lines, power cables, and offshore oil pipelines.

Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Marc Gerritsen echoed this stance during the event, reaffirming that UNCLOS must remain the foundational norm guiding global maritime issues and freedom of navigation. Both diplomats agreed on the necessity of translating the convention consistently to match contemporary geopolitical and technological realities. To support this, Indonesia remains committed to championing international maritime law while strengthening its corresponding national legislation.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)