Bali – Indonesia is trusted to host the first Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit after being planned for the previous seven years. Taking place in Nusa Dua, Bali, the AIS Forum Summit on 11 October 2023 will be a forum that brings together dozens of island countries to discuss global issues.
Project Coordinator of the AIS Forum Secretariat, Riny Modaso, explained that the implementation of this summit would later become a strategic platform to strengthen the AIS Forum’s concrete programs in various fields throughout island countries and archipelagic countries.
“AIS Forum continues to be dedicated to facilitating cooperation and innovation between island and archipelagic countries, with the upcoming activity, namely the First Summit in Bali, which will mark a historic moment in its journey as a global forum,” he said.
A number of optimistic hopes for the future of the world’s oceans emerged from many parties, including the Deputy General Chair of the Maritime, Investment and Foreign Affairs Coordinator of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Shinta Kamdani, who hoped that the AIS Forum Summit would strengthen the blue economy program.
“This AIS Forum can help strengthen the blue economy, thereby ensuring sustainable marine food reserves,” said Shinta.
Seeing the importance of solutions to the problems of island and archipelagic countries, Assistant Deputy for Delimitation of Maritime Zones and Border Areas at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sora Lokita, emphasized the target of the AIS Forum Summit, namely as a forum for aspirations and hopes that prioritize the interests of the people of the country itself.
Furthermore, Sora explained that the Indonesian Government emphasized that the AIS Forum was a forum for real cooperation to help each other in various development activities, not just a place to gather for discussions.
“At the AIS Forum Summit which was held in Bali, one of the main targets was the leaders’ declaration which contained the hopes of state leaders, how in the future this AIS Forum Summit will continue to develop into an international organization that can help the benefit of islanders or residents of island countries. and islands, as well as improving and improving various programs and work that have been carried out by the AIS Forum,” explained Sora.
Regarding the aim of holding the AIS Forum Summit, Sora continued, he explained that the AIS Forum Summit was an idea and innovation driven by Indonesia.
Initially, the idea for the AIS Forum Summit was initiated in 2017 based on the challenges faced by Indonesia as an archipelagic country. Not only are there issues of climate change, developing the potential of the blue economy, but also issues of connectivity, empowerment of coastal communities and marine pollution.
Meanwhile, the Director of Economic and Maritime Information and Communication, Septriana Tangkary, explained that the aim of the AIS Forum is to address global problems in the first 4 areas, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, handling plastic waste at sea and good maritime governance. (*)
