The 1st HLM of Archipelagic and Island States Forum Focuses on Concrete Initiatives in Maritime Sector

PRESS RELEASE

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

No.50/SP/TKM-AISFORUM2023/10/2023

Badung, 9 October 2023 – The 1^stHigh-Level Meeting of Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum will focus on concrete initiatives that can reach the archipelagic and island states communities.

"AIS Forum is a concrete forum. We don't want this to be just a platform for exchanging speeches, instead, to focus on underground initiatives developed based on input from the community for the progress of these archipelagic and island countries," said Deputy Coordinating Minister for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy of Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Jodi Mahardi during a press conference at the HLM of AIS Forum Media Center at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) 1 in Bali on Monday, 9 October.

Jodi explained that, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the AIS Forum Secretariat continues to develop initiatives and programs that can be implemented in Islands and Archipelagic countries.

"We have regional directors in Madagascar, Fiji, and Barbados, to name a few, whose task is to establish communication with the local communities of AIS Forum countries to seek for insights and programs to support the AIS Forum secretariat. It’s proof that the Forum has an actual global reach, not only in one region," he explained.

Jodi emphasized that the Indonesian government fully supports the AIS Forum and is committed to promoting its presence and implementation. More importantly, promoting the role of young people and startups to collaborate and find common solutions to the problems faced by the archipelagic and island nations.

"The archipelagic and island states are resilient and innovative. Indonesia believes that through this forum, AIS Forum countries will be able to demonstrate their capacity to solve problems without relying on assistance from other parties. This can be realized by strengthening solidarity and sharing innovation," he said.

The Indonesian government also supports AIS Forum programs, including funding. Up to this point, Indonesia has contributed a sum of US$5 million.

"In 2019, Indonesia provided a contribution of 1 million US dollars for various purposes, including establishing the secretariat (of AIS Forum), implementing cooperation, and strengthening collaboration between countries. We have created a knowledge-sharing platform and organised workshops. These programs involved youth, innovators, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to support the blue economy," said Jodi.

The 2023 HLM of AIS Forum is a platform for cooperation among archipelagic and island states aimed at strengthening collaboration to address four global issues, climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, addressing marine plastic debris, and maritime governance.

Jodi added that the AIS Forum focuses on concrete matters and has prepared various programs aiming to promote the development of the Forum and give impact to the entire archipelagic and island states communities.

In addition, it is expected that participating countries of the 2023 HLM of AIS Forum will reach an agreement on the Leaders Declaration. "But the most important aspect of the leaders' declaration is to reach an agreement on acknowledging the urgent need of the AIS Forum, to promote cooperation in areas such as the blue economy, marine pollution, climate change mitigation, and ocean governance," said Jodi. (TR/Elvira Inda Sari).

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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:

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

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

Deputy Coordinator for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), Jodi Mahardi, during a press conference at the AIS Forum Media Center at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) 1 Bali on Monday, 10 October 2023.