AIS Forum Summit, President Jokowi: Connectivity, Empowerment of Coastal Communities and Marine Pollution Must Be Solved Together
Nusa Dua, Bali – Indonesia hosted the first summit of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum. A forum to strengthen collaboration between archipelago countries and island countries connected by the sea. The sea does not separate land, but rather unites, glues and connects land.
“As fellow archipelago and island countries, regardless of whether they are big or small, developed or developing, we share common complex challenges that are interrelated and connected to each other, such as sea level rise, governance, marine resources and marine pollution,” said the President Jokowi at BNDCC, Badung Bali, Wednesday (11/10).
President Jokowi added that the AIS Forum Summit must be a space to find solutions together in solving connectivity problems, empowering coastal communities and marine pollution. These three problems are important for finding solutions, considering that the AIS Forum Summit is a collection of island and archipelagic countries that have a commitment to unite to face existing challenges.
“I see that we must be able to work together to solve connectivity problems, empowering coastal communities and marine pollution,” added President Jokowi.
President Jokowi also emphasized that the main target of the AIS Forum Summit is the leaders’ declaration which contains the hopes of state leaders. Seeing that it is important to have solutions to the problems of island and archipelagic countries, namely as a forum for aspirations and hopes that prioritize the interests of the people of the country itself.
“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 and archipelagic countries, as well as improve and improve various programs and work that have been carried out by the AIS Forum,” explained President Jokowi.
President Jokowi also reminded that for island and archipelagic countries, the sea is the backbone of the economy where solutions are needed that can be used for the country itself and other developing countries.
Indonesia is trusted to host the first AIS Forum Summit after being planned for the previous seven years. The AIS Forum Summit has the principle of embracing and collaborating with all island and archipelagic countries, as well as creating programs that originate from the interests of the community.
It is hoped that by holding the AIS Forum Summit in Bali for the first time, cooperation between island and archipelagic countries will further develop. Indonesia will be a driving country for AIS that can continue to innovate.
