President Jokowi: 2023 AIS Summit Produces Concrete Solutions to Face the Challenges of Island and Island Countries
Bali – President Jokowi said the 2023 AIS Forum Summit was 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 archipelagic and island countries, regardless of whether they are big or small, developed or developing, we share complex challenges that are interrelated and connected to each other, such as sea level rise, governance, marine resources and marine pollution.
President Jokowi conveyed this when opening the 2023 AIS Forum Summit on the Island of the Gods, Bali, Wednesday 11/10/2023.
In his remarks, Indonesian President Jokowi explained the importance of collaboration and solidarity for island and archipelagic countries because it can produce strategic and concrete steps in facing the current challenges of island and archipelagic countries.
“Collaboration and solidarity between island countries and island countries is very important to produce strategic, concrete and tactical steps in solving common problems,” said President Jokowi.
President Jokowi assessed that the AIS Forum Summit could also provide an opportunity to determine the direction of collaboration ranging from equality to tough and dynamic cooperation.
“The 2023 AIS Summit is an important opportunity to determine the direction of future collaboration where there are three things that we need to encourage, including:
Firstly, solidarity, equality and inclusiveness are principles that are shared.
The second priority is concrete cooperation tailored to the recipient’s needs.
Third, a strong and dynamic cooperation framework to face future challenges,” he concluded.
At the 2023 AIS Forum Summit, according to President Jokowi, the interests of island and archipelago countries continue to be voiced by Indonesia, not only at this year’s AIS Summit but also at the G20 Summit and the ASEAN Summit.
Indonesia continues to voice the interests of archipelagic countries and island states, both at last year’s G20 Summit, the ASEAN Summit and this year’s AIS Summit, he said.
Furthermore, President Jokowi said that Indonesia is also committed to funding banks to be used by archipelagic countries and developing countries.
On the same occasion, the President invited all island and archipelagic countries to collaborate amidst the divided world.
“All countries present are here to maintain unity and collaboration, even in the midst of a divided world. Let us walk, and walk together,” said President Jokowi.
Meanwhile, on a different occasion, the Project Coordinator of the AIS Forum Secretariat, Riny Modaso, revealed that at the previous 8th High Officials/Senior Official Meeting (SOM) meeting in Antananarivo, Madagascar, two new initiatives had been introduced.
“Namely AIS Blue Hub and AIS Research and Development Center. “Both are developments from programs that have been successfully implemented previously and will strengthen the AIS Forum’s work programs in encouraging sustainable solutions to global challenges,” explained Riny.
Furthermore, Riny explained that AIS Blue Hub Regional would provide hubs in three regions, namely Indian, Pacific and Atlantic.
“This initiative aims to enable businesses from AIS countries to expand into new markets, encourage economic growth and collaboration in the international community,” he said.
