The 2023 AIS Forum Summit Empowers Indonesian Maritime Affairs which is Rich in Natural Resources Potential
By: Nana Gunawan *)
By hosting the 2023 Archipelagic and Island States Forum Summit or the 2023 AIS Forum Summit, Indonesia will strengthen solidarity to overcome problems in the maritime sector. This is based on the principle that the 2023 AIS Forum Summit was initiated as a means or forum to address the problems faced by island and archipelagic countries.
To overcome these problems, of course, collaboration and cooperation is needed between the delegate countries of the 2023 AIS Forum Summit. This then becomes the reference for the AIS Forum Summit to discuss blue economic development, the challenges of climate change, and solidarity between island and archipelagic countries.
Professor of FISIPOL, Indonesian Christian University (UKI), Prof. Angel Damayanti, Ph.D. said the Government had done quite well in protecting and empowering Indonesia’s seas, including improving the welfare of coastal communities.
This is proven based on the Indonesian Marine Health Index (IKLI) score which states that the condition of Indonesian waters has improved in the last three years starting from 2020.
The government is considered to have succeeded in reducing the disposal of plastic and waste waste in Indonesian seas and increasing the ability and capability of coastal communities to develop the marine economy and face potential economic problems that may occur in the future. The government has also provided security from the TNI and the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) to protect Indonesian seas from the problem of fishing theft by foreign parties.
Prof. Angel Damayanti added that Indonesia’s maritime potential is extraordinary. Even the sea surface can be used as renewable energy. Then, from within the sea there is marine biota that can be used as a living for fishermen, such as fish, shrimp, crabs, lobsters and other marine biota. Then, the seabed can be used more for the lives of Indonesian people because there is natural gas and oil. Meanwhile, the beach can also improve the creative economy and MSMEs which will lead to the development of the tourism sector.
If it is not maintained and managed well, Indonesia will lose the opportunity to enjoy its maritime natural wealth. To avoid this, the Government must complete the capacity of the Navy’s Human Resources (HR) and the community to be able to jointly maintain maximum maritime security.
By holding the 2023 AIS Forum Summit, Indonesia will be recognized and seen as an island and archipelagic country. This means that Indonesia has a good reputation in the eyes of the world because it is able to hold high-level conferences and be a center for solutions to global problems.
On the other hand, the tourism sector also benefits from the 2023 AIS Forum Summit. The national economy that is positively impacted includes the creative economy, MSMEs, and hotels which are fully occupied by delegates from each participating country.
In the future, it is hoped that the Government can continue to carry out various efforts to protect Indonesia’s seas, especially after holding the 2023 AIS Forum Summit. This forum is also expected to make Indonesia a world maritime axis that can continue to realize the global maritime vision to boost the maritime economy and empower maritime natural resources.
*) The author is an Economic Observer, Pershada Institute.
