MAKASSAR – After being postponed for around four years, the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) was again held by the Indonesian Navy.
In history, MNEK 2023 which was held in Makassar, South Sulawesi, is noted as the biggest MNEK in Indonesia.
MNEK in Makassar was attended by navies from 36 countries, such as the navy of the United States, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, and Canada.
The navies from Chili, Fiji, India, England, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Netherlands, Oman, Philippines, and Pakistan also presented.
Not to forget, the navies from France, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Spain, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, East Timor, United Kingdom, and Vietnam were also among the crowd of the event.
Brought by the theme of ‘Partnership To Recover and To Rise Stronger’, this event will take place from 4–8 June 2023.
“It is an honor for the city government and the whole community as Makassar City has been chosen as the center for organizing MNEK 2023,” said Makassar Mayor Moh Ramdhan Pomanto, Monday (5/6).
He hopes that MNEK can increase interoperability between the navies in overcoming natural disasters and maintaining security stability.
“Welcome to all the state delegations who have come and, please enjoy Makassar with the best sunset on Losari Beach while tasting delicious culinary delights,” he added.
The first MNEK was held in 2014 in Batam. The event then continued to take place in Padang in 2016 and Lombok in 2018.
This whole event is about a non-war exercise by prioritizing maritime cooperation in the regional area, disaster management, as well as humanitarian operations to strengthen cooperation between the Indonesian Navy and the navies from friendly countries.
Participants involved will take part in various activities, ranging from ice breaking, International Fleet Review (IFR), to the International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS).
They will also participate in a city tour, city parade, fun bike, admiral lunch, bilateral meeting, welcome dinner, maritime exhibition and gala dinner.
