UI Lecturer Telisa: 2023 AIS Summit Strengthens Indonesia’s Existence as a Maritime and Archipelagic Country
This year, Indonesia was appointed as the host of the Archipelagic and Island States Summit (AIS Summit) Forum. As the largest archipelagic country in the world, through this forum Indonesia is expected to become an initiator in dealing with global issues related to maritime affairs.
The 2023 AIS Forum Summit will take place in Bali, on 10–11 October 2023. Indonesia invited 51 island and archipelago countries as well as a number of international organizations. This year, the 2023 AIS Forum carries the theme “Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation for Our Ocean and Our Future”. The meeting agenda will focus on three important aspects, namely blue economy development, the challenge of climate change, and strengthening solidarity between island and island countries.
Previously, the 2022 AIS Forum Ministerial Meeting was also held in Bali. University of Indonesia lecturer Telisa Falianty revealed that the 2023 AIS Summit was a momentum to raise the nation’s image after successfully hosting the 2023 ASEAN Summit.
“Indonesia’s success in holding various conferences will further improve Indonesia’s image in the eyes of the world, especially since this is AIS’s first conference,” said Telisa.
It is hoped that Indonesia’s involvement in this AIS Forum cannot be separated from Indonesia’s active participation in the diplomatic arena related to global maritime issues, through various international meetings. One of them was during the preparation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 which confirmed the principle of an archipelagic state.
It is hoped that the 2023 AIS Forum Summit will not only be a forum for discussion, but will also have a concrete impact in responding to the challenges of island and archipelagic countries. It is also hoped that the meeting can become a forum between island and archipelagic countries that is sustainable like other regional organizations that have previously been established.
Telisa added that Indonesia’s contribution and role at the 2023 AIS Summit was as an initiator in dealing with global issues related to maritime affairs and islands.
“To create a more prosperous and peaceful archipelagic country, Indonesia must make a real contribution to maintaining economic, social and political stability in the world,” said Telisa.
“Increased cooperation must also be socialized to stakeholders in the business world, society, media so that the benefits can be realized and felt in the field,” added Telisa.
