The 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum Sharpens Global Strategy to Address Climate Change Issues

PRESS RELEASE

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

No.17/SP/TKM-AISFORUM2023/10/2023

Jakarta, 4 October 2023 – The 1^st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum which will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on 10 and 11 October will sharpen joint strategies for island and archipelagic countries to overcome marine-related challenges, especially climate change.

"The 1st HLM will strengthen the platform for archipelagic and island countries to work together in addressing common problems, such as rising sea levels and climate change. Concertive efforts to do so will become more coordinated, structured, and sharp. So, it is no longer sporadic," said Alexander Muhammad Khan, Padjadjaran University researcher who is also Indonesia's representative at the 2023 AIS RnD Conference, in the Forum Merdeka Barat (FMB9) Discussion: Road to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum entitled "Concrete Steps to Manage the Ocean" which was held online in Jakarta, on Wednesday, 4 October.

According to Alex, different strategies are needed to deal with problems on land and sea. It is because regional boundaries on land are visible, unlike on the sea. Therefore, he said, ocean-based challenges such as fisheries and marine problems cannot be solved alone.

"Therefore, communication forums, such as the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) and now the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum, can become a platform to frame these problems as common problems that can be discussed and be managed together," he explained.

Alex assessed that Indonesia had taken the right steps in urging other countries to solve their common problems together. "Indonesia is on the right track by becoming one of the initiators of the CTI-CFF in 2009 and the AIS Forum in 2018. This shows Indonesia's vision and leadership at the global level, especially in marine issues," he said.

In Indonesia, those most affected by climate change are people who live on small islands, such as North Maluku, Maluku, or Papua. Some of the problems are the rising sea levels, plastic waste, and the declining fish-catch.

For this reason, Indonesia is trying to work together (hand in hand) with countries that have the same interests and vision to preserve the ocean and marine environment, so that it becomes a joint global action.

"So, it is not a one-man show, not just one country, but it is a common issue, jointly faced by Indonesia and the archipelagic and island countries at the AIS Forum," said Alexander.

For him, the Indonesian government already has policies that are in line with the challenges faced by coastal and island communities.

This policy is considered to be a manifestation of management maturity in the fisheries and marine sector which has been in place for 24 years since 1999, since the establishment of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

"For example, with a decrease in the number of fishing catches, the government then issued regulations that limit the fishing gear that can be used, limit fishing locations, and regulate fishing times," said Alex.

Meanwhile, the AIS Youth Conference 2023 Representative, Engel Laisina, emphasized the importance of inclusiveness, referring to rural and coastal communities.

"This is important because rural and coastal communities are the ones most affected climate change. Well, I see that so far efforts to prevent or overcome climate change have only been discussed in the urban settings, while those most affected are in the villages," Engel said.

Therefore, at the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum, he hopes that all representatives will be able to share knowledge and experience in facing and overcoming the increasingly worrying climate change issues. (Revelation S/US/TR/Elvira)

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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 intelligent 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 at https://infopublik.id

Padjadjaran University researcher who is also Indonesia's representative at the 2023 AIS RnD Conference, Alexander Muhammad Khan, speaks in the Forum Merdeka Barat (FMB9) Online Discussion: Road to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum entitled "Concrete Steps to Manage the Sea" in Jakarta, on Wednesday, 4 October 2023.