Nusa Dua, Bali – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit can serve as a forum to voice the interests of developing countries and island countries.
“The AIS Forum Summit is one of Indonesia’s commitments to cooperate at a higher level, becoming an international organization that take concrete steps to handle regional and global issues,” President Jokowi said at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Badung regency, Bali province on Wednesday (10/11).
According to the President, in the Summit, the AIS Forum members agreed to strengthen collaboration based on the principles of solidarity, equality, and inclusiveness.
“Island and archipelagic nations must be able to cooperate in efforts to address various challenges,” he said, adding that developing countries and island countries have the same rights to achieve progress and carry out development.
President Jokowi further said that various collaborations of the Forum have provided concrete benefits, including for communities in coastal areas.
“Including scholarships, joint research funding, development of the AIS Blue Start-up Hub, digitalization training for MSME, development of innovative funding. Apart from that, [the collaborations] also provide strategic benefits related to marine carbon calculation and mangrove forests preservation,” the President said.
The Head of State also affirmed Indonesia’s commitment to be at the forefront in supporting the AIS Forum as a form of inclusive cooperation. “Indonesia is also committed to preparing grant funds to be utilized, especially in overcoming climate change and developing blue innovation, and sustainable marine governance,” he added.
On the occasion, the President also underlined that unity and collaboration between archipelagic and island states is the key to progress in facing current global challenges.
“The sea is not a separator between lands but, in fact, it unites them. The sea is a binder and a link between continents,” President Jokowi remarked.
Climate Challenges
Smaller nations at risk of the effects of climate change have sounded the alarm about the threat posed to their existence, seeking a bigger voice on climate diplomacy and issues that may decide their fate.
Thirty-two island states across the world — from Saint Lucia to Vanuatu, Japan to the United Kingdom – signed a joint declaration and took part in the two-day meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum, which brings together nations at risk of common climate challenges.
Members agreed that “developing countries and the archipelagic states have the same rights to be developed, have the same rights to carry out development.
The declaration document signed during the meeting calls for all members to prioritize “climate change mitigation, adaptation and disaster management” as well as protection of the marine environment.
It also called for “good maritime governance” and “creation of sustainable economic development” of the blue economy, a term for activity on the world’s oceans, seas and coastlines. (*)
Source: setkab.go.id/thestar.com.my
