Successfully Holding the AIS Summit, Indonesia Promotes Collaboration Between Island Countries
Indonesia has once again proven itself to be a successful host that unites world countries. The inaugural AIS Summit which took place in Bali in October 2023 was a historic moment where Indonesia made a new breakthrough, namely initiating a high-level conference for the world’s island and archipelagic countries. This moment is a golden opportunity to prove Indonesia’s ability to monitor potential issues and diplomatic cooperation between island and archipelagic countries, one of which is maritime issues and the blue economy.
The implementation of the AIS Summit activities was marked by the AIS Forum Ministerial Level meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Tuesday (10/11). The event was then filled with a number of meetings and continued by a Gala Dinner. At the Gala Dinner, President Jokowi hosted all heads of state/government who attended the 2023 AIS Forum Summit.
The opening ceremony of the AIS Summit itself was officially opened by President Jokowi on Wednesday (11/10). In his remarks, President Jokowi emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy between island and archipelagic countries. This cooperation is needed to produce strategic, concrete and tactical steps in solving joint problems.
The Head of State continued that there were three important points in determining the direction of future collaboration. First, solidarity, equality and inclusiveness are principles that are shared. Second, priority on concrete cooperation tailored to the recipient’s needs. Third, a strong and dynamic cooperation framework to face future challenges.
Not only that, President Jokowi continued that Indonesia is committed to preparing grant funds to be used for the interests of archipelagic countries and developing countries. Apart from that, Indonesia wants to invite all countries present to continue to build unity and continue to collaborate even in the midst of a divided world.
It is known that a number of heads of state were present at the 2023 AIS Summit. It was recorded that at least five heads of state and government were present directly at the 1st AIS Forum 2023 Summit, namely, President of the Micronesian Federation Wesley Simina, Prime Minister of Niue Dalton Tagelagi, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Patrice Trovoada, Prime Minister of Tuvalu Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao.
In this first AIS Summit, a number of agreement documents were produced, while on the sidelines of the AIS Summit there were also a number of bilateral meetings between delegations from the countries participating in the Summit. Indonesian President RI Joko Widodo (Jokowi) together with the leaders of AIS member countries, during the trial succeeded in agreeing on a number of bilateral agreements and cooperation.
Some time ago, UNDP Indonesia’s Senior Advisor for Climate Governance, Abdul Wahib Situmorang, explained the importance of the presence of the AIS Forum for Indonesia and other island or archipelagic countries. It is very important to know that as an island and archipelago country, the sea is the backbone of the country’s economy and even the lives of the people who live in it. Therefore, protecting the sea and using the sea sustainably is very important to pay attention to together.
In the context of protecting and utilizing the sea sustainably, various concrete and relevant solutions are needed, especially considering the current situation of global uncertainty. In the AIS forum, it offers and works on solutions that can be implemented by both developed and developing countries.
AIS Forum has carried out various activities in a number of island and archipelagic countries. These include entrepreneurship training for young people and business people in Vanuatu and cooperation in Fiji in the form of distributing marine health measuring devices. Throughout 2023, the AIS Forum also plans to carry out activities in Jamaica, Guyana, Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom.
At the AIS Forum Summit which closed on Wednesday (11/10), a leaders’ declaration was produced containing the hopes of state leaders, how in the future the 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.
It cannot be denied that Indonesia’s diplomacy in the international arena has always succeeded in bringing various benefits both to the world and to the interests and welfare of its own country. Various national interests are contained in the diplomatic efforts that Indonesia continues to carry out, especially in the 2023 AIS Summit which is a momentum to show the resilience of the Indonesian economy. So that Indonesia deserves to be one of the destinations for foreign investment. The holding of the 2023 AIS Summit will also boost the national economy in various regions. Indonesia also always hopes for and continues to strive to create real cooperation at AIS in various fields, such as in the maritime and economic sectors. Indonesia’s role in the AIS Summit proved to be very large. Not only in the economic sector, Indonesia’s role in the security sector is also very large. As the initiator of the AIS Forum Summit, Indonesia was also previously trusted to hold the 2022 G20 Presidency and chair the ASEAN Chair in 2023. This is clear evidence of the international public’s trust in Indonesia’s leadership. Indonesia’s leadership laid a strong foundation for the long-term vision of island nations. This is important to do to prepare AIS to face long-term challenges.
