Foreign Minister Retno Affirms Indonesia's Commitment To Overcoming Marine Issues At The AIS Summit

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi together with the Assistance and Partnership Team Wishnutama Kusubandio (right) ANTARA/Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna

NUSA Dua - Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi emphasized that Indonesia and participating countries have a high commitment to overcome the challenges of marine issues discussed at the AIS Forum Summit, October 10-11.

"We use this sea wisely," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on the sidelines of reviewing the AIS Forum press conference room at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Badung Regency, Bali, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, October 9.

According to him, Indonesia as one of the largest archipelagic countries in the world together with other countries that have the same character, wants to show real participation and contribution in the form of cooperation in overcoming marine challenges.

The marine challenges, he continued, include climate change, utilizing the sea as a sustainable economic source or a blue economy and marine management.

The series of AIS Forum 2023 Summits began on Tuesday (10/10) with the AIS Forum Ministerial Meeting which is planned to be led by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Based on data from the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, the meeting at the AIS Forum ministerial level began with the opening and introductory sessions, then continued with the signing of collaborative partnership documents between participating countries present.

The agenda of the meeting will continue with the submission of reports of high-level officials participating in the AIS Forum 2023 Summit, activity reports and proposed work plans, public statements, and the adoption of a draft declaration of the leaders of the AIS Forum.

During the meeting, the ministers also discussed the final preparations for the AIS Forum's first summit, which will be held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) 2.

The highlight of the event, namely on Wednesday (11/10) is scheduled to open President Joko Widodo who leads the AIS Forum 2023 Summit at BNDCC 1.

"So so far the preparations have been very good and usually in the last time it is still being finalized, but God willing, everything is ready," he said.

The AIS Forum is a forum for cooperation between island and archipelago countries that aims to strengthen collaboration in overcoming four global problems, namely climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, handling plastic waste in the sea and maritime governance.

The AIS Forum Summit was held to strengthen the role of AIS Forum as the center of smart and innovative solutions and as a forum for mutual cooperation in encouraging future agendas, namely global marine governance.

The first AIS Forum in Bali is expected to be attended by representatives from 51 island and island countries at the level of the head of state/government and ministerial-level representatives.