MTCRC welcomed ITB Oceanography Student Association HMO TRITON as their request for the center’s visit. A total of 25 students who came to MTCRC Cirebon Center were provided with a tour lab in the marine equipment room and chemical laboratory and learned about marine equipment such as MBES, SBES, SBP, grab sampler, etc. Besides that, the students were introduced to ICP-MS and FTIR while in the chemical laboratory. The activities were closed by discussion and gift-giving sessions. 

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC in collaboration with ITB has conducted regular survey in Cirebon waters area.  The survey consists of ocean parameter measurement, ocean current, water sampling, and supports the work of NANO Deoxygenation, Ocean Acidification, and Productivity (NANO-DAOP) as one of ITB research activities. Further, the water sample would be analyzed in MTCRC chemical laboratory for micro marine debris  

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC conducted Korea Invited Expert Webinar through Zoom Meeting, which was attended by MTCRC directors, Advisory Board Members, MTCRC Staff, CMMAI and ITB. Through this webinar, MTCRC invited the scholarship awardees of doctoral and master program students from Pusan National University (PNU) and the University of Science and Technology (UST) to share knowledge related to their studies and other experiences while studying in Korea. This webinar was officially started with remarks from MTCRC Director, Dr. PARK Hansan, followed by Indonesian MTCRC Director Ivonne Radjawane, Ph.D., and Dean of FEST ITB, Dr. Irwan Meilano. 

Continuing the collaboration progress between BPPSDM-KP and Korea-Indonesia MTCRC last January, on the 1st February 2023 MTCRC had a chance to visit the BPPSDM-KP Office located in Ancol, North Jakarta. This office is planned to be the supporting facility for the ODA Capacity Building Project; The visit was led by Ir. Andi Soesmono, Kiestiko Sri Saptasari, and Dr. Niken Financia Gusmawati. There are two buildings that can use later by MTCRC, which are buildings I and II. There are many facilities and spacious spaces inside the building; the staff of BPPSDM-KP still uses particular floors, and certain floors are available due to some researchers moving out to The BRIN. More importantly, there is a laboratory that MTCRC can use as the blue carbon laboratory.

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC conducted a courtesy visit to the Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research and Human Resources Development (BRSDM), MMAF for a meeting regarding the 2023 ODA Project Plan on "Establishing integrated ocean fisheries technology center and enhancing capacity building in Indonesia". The meeting was led by Dr. I Nyoman Radiarta, S.Pi., M.Sc as the head of BRSDM, and attended by other BRSDM Officials. The main issue that has been discussed is about future collaboration opportunities mainly in establishing integrated training centers and capacity building.

In order to prepare programs and plans for 2023, Korea-Indonesia MTCRC conducted an Internal Workshop at Aston Hotel and MTCRC Cirebon Center. This event was attended by the Directors of MTCRC, Head of Department, Chairman and Member of MTCRC Advisory boards as well as the entirety of the MTCRC staff. On the first day of the workshop, each team leader from each department presented about the achievement and strategic plan itself and continued by discussion with directors. On the following day, The director presented MTCRC’s major achievements over the past years and the strategic plan for 2023 followed by a discussion session with the advisory board. The agenda closed with MTCRC Cirebon Center office tour and visiting the ARA Boat port.

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC together with the Korean team and CMMAI conducted observations of mangrove forests in order to see firsthand and observe the management of mangrove forests in Indonesia as part of a series of activities in the 2nd Korea-Indonesia Blue Carbon Expert Seminar. The agenda of the visit was to the Taman Hutan Raya (TAHURA)/Grand Forest Park Ngurah Rai, Bali. The Tahura location itself was used as one of the G20 Activities last year and utilizes local residents to process fruits from mangrove species and sow mangroves from seed to ready for planting. The visit was welcomed and guided by Mr. I Ketut Subandi (Head of UPTD Tahura Ngurah Rai) and Mr. Komang Jojo. During the visit, Mr. Komang Jojo explained about mangrove conservation efforts in Bali, especially in Tanjung Benoa, and the process of maintaining mangroves, from seedlings to nursery areas

The ODA project meeting preparation was held at Merusaka Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali. The meeting was attended by several institutions and researchers from Korea and Indonesia. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Hansan PARK briefly introduced Korea-Indonesia MTCRC as the ODA Project implementers. The agenda followed by the discussion session, Prof. NAM as a KMI Senior Researcher said that we can explore other blue carbon ecosystems in Indonesia, such as tidal flats, making a national map, and rehabilitation. Both countries' experts gave their valuable comments and insight regarding the equipment for the carbon analyzer, especially in relation to the blue carbon context.  After this meeting, it is still necessary to discuss further this new project. The project can be proceeded by making a Project Concept Paper (PCP) and requesting submissions to the relevant institutions. At the same time, MTCRC will conduct more research on this. 

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC successfully held "2nd Korea-Indonesia Blue Carbon Experts Seminar'' in Merusaka Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali. This seminar is a continuation of the first seminar which was held on June 20, 2022, which aims to exchange knowledge, experience and ideas which will later be discussed and become the basis for designing the Blue Carbon project in Indonesia through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) scheme. Mr, Kus Prisetiahadi, Ph.D., as Assistant Deputy for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Mr. SHIN Jae Young as Director of Marine Ecology Division MOF, Mr. Firman Trisasongko as Policy Analysis Expert on Assistant Deputy for Maritime Resources Downstreaming, Prof. KIM Jong-Seong as The Blue Carbon Project Group and Dr. PARK Hansan as Director of Korea-Indonesia MTCRC was invited to open the event and deliver the remarks. By holding 4 sessions and 1 comprehensive discussion session with a total of 13 presentations, the workshop is attended by 41 participants from several institutions and universities in Indonesia, Korea, and Canada.

Korea-Indonesia MTCRC had a meeting with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO) BRIN for Potential Joint Research in near future. The focus of this meeting is to discuss the potential of joint research in the Pari Island area. Prof. Zainal said in his presentation the goals of this project are to provide a scientific-based small island development and meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and provide local governments with a practical approach to managing small island resources services. Later, MTCRC possibly will provide the fieldwork on this project, As Dr. PARK Hansan mentioned that MTCRC could use technical support for the quality and quantity data by using drones and mapping the seagrass coverage area, water quality measures seawater, freshwater, marine debris, and data for environmental capacity. The Joint research between MTCRC and BRIN can be started after the MoU is signed between BRIN and KIOST.