Indonesian President Chairs 1st HLM of AIS Forum Today

PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE 2O23 HLM OF THE AIS FORUM

No.64/SP/TKM-AISFORUM2023/10/2023

Badung, 11 October 2023 – The 1^st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum commenced today, Wednesday, 11 October, at the Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center, Badung Regency, Bali Province.

After concluding a photo session with attending delegates, the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened the 1^st HLM of the AIS Forum at 9:45 a.m. (GMT+8) and delivered a welcoming remark. President Joko Widodo is then scheduled to preside over a series of sessions today.

In addition to President Joko Widodo, the President of Micronesia, the Prime Minister of Niue, the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu are participating in the first High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum.

This year, the HLM of the AIS Forum carries the theme "Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation, for Our Ocean and Our Future". In line with the overarching objective of the AIS Forum, which serves as a platform for archipelagic and island states to enhance collaboration in addressing global maritime challenges, each delegate will present a statement outlining their country or organization's position.

It is expected that the 1st HLM of the AIS Forum will adopt a Leaders' Declaration on the Solidarity of the Archipelagic and Island States. This declaration affirms the commitment of the archipelagic and island states to collaborate in addressing common challenges, including climate change, blue economy development, marine pollution, and marine governance with the ultimate objective to attain prosperity and sustainability for future generations.

The 1^st HLM of AIS Forum is also attended by 32 participating countries, namely heads of state/government from Indonesia, Micronesia, Niue, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor Leste, and Tuvalu; deputy heads of government from Fiji and Tonga; ministerial-level officials from the Maldives, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Cabo Verde; as well as high-ranking officials from Madagascar, New Zealand, Bahrain, the Cook Islands, Cyprus, Ireland, Japan, Malta, Nauru, the Philippines, Santa Lucia, Samoa, Suriname, Vanuatu, and the United Kingdom.

Representatives from four international organizations are also present at the 1^st HLM of the AIS Forum, including the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The HLM of the AIS Forum will conclude with a working luncheon, slated to commence at 12:30 p.m. (GMT+8).

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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 debris, 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 and innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

Get more information on press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the

AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia.

The 1^st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is held on Wednesday morning, 11 October 2023, at the Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center, Badung Regency, Bali Province.

Workers walk in front of the flag as the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, prepares for the 1^st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum on Sunday, 8 October 2023. The 1^st HLM of the AIS Forum will be held on 10—11 October 2023. MEDIA CENTER KTT AIS 2023/M Agung Rajasa/rwa.