21 Leaders and High-ranking Officials Arrive in Bali to Attend the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum

PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE 2023 HLM OF THE AIS FORUM

No.47/SP/TKM-AISFORUM2023/10/2023

Badung, 9 October 2023 – A total of 21 leaders and high-ranking officials of island and archipelagic states and international organizations arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, on Monday, 9 October to attend the 1^st High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum on 10—11 October in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali.

Based on the list of arrivals and departures received by the Communications and Media Team of the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum, the arrival times started from 10:10 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. Central Indonesian Time (GMT+8).

Nineteen leaders and high-ranking officials of archipelagic and island countries that will participate in the 1^st HLM are from Bahrain, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, Maldives, Malta, Saint Lucia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Cyprus, Fiji, Cape Verde, Madagascar, Micronesia, Suriname, and Samoa.

Meanwhile, international organizations that will attend the 1^st HLM are the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

The leaders and high-ranking officials of the island and archipelagic countries and international organizations were warmly welcomed by top officials of the Indonesian government upon their arrival at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali.

All state guests were welcomed with a state ceremony by the Cordon Guard from the Military Police under the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres).

The Cordon Guard consists of the best military soldiers from the Indonesian Army serving as guardians in state protocol events. The main task of the Cordon Guard is to provide military honors to state guests coming to Indonesia, such as gun salutes, state guests' car door opening, and escort for state guests from the entrance to their seats.

The guests were also greeted by a Balinese traditional welcoming dance, the Pendet. This dance is usually performed in various religious and traditional ceremonies in Bali, especially as a welcoming dance or dance offering to Gods.

The Pendet dance is a very important part of Bali's cultural heritage and has become a sacred and beautiful performance in various religious and cultural ceremonies on the island. (Toro/Elvira Inda Sari/S/FLW)

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About AIS Forum:

The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic waste management, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information please contact:

Thomas Benmetan, Head of Marketing & Communication, AIS Forum Secretariat

(thomas.benmetan@undp.org).

Get more information on press releases, narratives, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia.

Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, (second left) and spouse Mele Muimui Liu Mei Tupou Latu Vaipulu (left) are greeted by the Assistant Deputy for Maritime Law and Treaties of the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Radian Nurcahyo, (third left) upon arrival at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Badung, Bali, on Sunday, 8 October 2023. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu arrived in Bali to attend the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali on 10—11 October 2023. (Media Center of 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum /Fikri Yusuf/pras)