Ready to Succeed the 2023 AIS Forum, Indonesia Strengthens Marine Tourism to Build a Blue Economy
Bali – Currently, Indonesia has been appointed as the host for the 2023 Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) FORUM Summit which will be held in Bali. On 10-11 October 2023, it will be Indonesia’s momentum to strengthen marine tourism in implementing the blue economy strategy to the world. International.
The 2023 AIS Summit will focus on three important aspects, namely blue economy development, the challenge of climate change, and strengthening solidarity between island and island countries. Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trnggono said the blue economy is one of the policies being developed by the Indonesian government as a sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth while maintaining MSME actors in the field of dry waste utilization.
“The blue economic policy includes a program to expand marine protected areas which increases the protection of fish habitat and maintains the function of the sea in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.” he said.
Observer and DFW Coordinator, Mohamad Abdi Suhufan assessed that by holding the 2023 AIS Forum Summit, Indonesia will make a contribution, as an initiator in dealing with global issues related to maritime affairs in four main areas, namely climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, handling plastic waste in the sea, and good maritime governance.
Abdi Suhufan said that the development of marine tourism will be realized quickly if there is strong synergy between stakeholders and coastal communities to realize a blue economy by increasing their capacity and awareness about sustainable tourism by protecting marine ecosystems from damage and pollution.
“Another thing that needs to be done is improving and ensuring the availability of basic infrastructure in coastal areas, such as telecommunications facilities, clean water and electricity,” concluded Abdi Suhufan.
Responding to the implementation of the blue economy, Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) University Professor Luky Adrianto explained that the strategy is the country’s ability to prove that there is a balance between the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the economic value that can be obtained and distributed fairly to all stakeholders.
“The blue economy can be considered as DNA (identity) for island and archipelagic countries, including Indonesia,” he said.
Indonesia can be the leading country to design the Blue Economic Development Index (BEDI), which is an instrument for measuring and evaluating the desire for a blue economy in accordance with sustainable marine and fisheries principles that can be used internationally.
