Jokowi Affirms AIS Forum Cooperation Gives Real Benefits To The Community

President Joko Widodo accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (left) and Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya (right) delivered a press statement after the AIS Forum Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Wednesday (11/10/2023). (ANTARA/Yashinta Difa)

NUSA Dua - Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that cooperation through the Pulau and Islands State Forum (AIS Forum) mechanism has provided real benefits for the people of AIS participating countries, including coastal communities.

The benefits referred to include providing scholarships, joint research funding, development of the AIS Blue Startup Hub, training on the digitization of MSMEs, and developing innovative funding.

"In addition, AIS also provides strategic benefits related to calculating marine carbon and preserving mangrove forests," Jokowi said at a press conference after the AIS Forum Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, October 11.

He said Indonesia was also committed to preparing grant funds, especially to overcome climate change and develop new innovations and sustainable marine management.

At the AIS Forum Summit which was first held since the forum was formed in 2018, Jokowi emphasized the importance of archipelagic and developing countries to continue working together in facing global challenges.

"Especially in the midst of a world condition that is'split', unity and cooperation among fellow island and archipelago countries is very important to deal with problems with sea level rise, marine resource governance, and marine pollution," said Jokowi.

"Indonesia as a maritime country will continue to be at the forefront of supporting the AIS Forum as an inclusive cooperation between island countries and archipelagic countries. For Indonesia, the sea is not a separator but the sea is actually a unifying, the sea is actually an adhesive and a liaison," said Jokowi.

Indonesia hosted the AIS Forum's first summit which was attended by 30 out of a total of 51 participating countries in this forum, and four international organizations.

At the level of the head of state/government, this summit was attended by the President of the Micronesia Federation Wesley Simina, the Prime Minister of Timor Leste Xana Gusmao, PM Niue Dalton Tagelagi, PM Sao Tome and Principal of the Emery Trovoada Party, and PM ofestery Kausea Natano.

Then, Fiji Deputy PM Manoa Seru Nakauputia Kamikamica and Deputy PM Tonga Samiu Kuita Vaipulu.

While the other delegations were led by ministers, deputy ministers, high-ranking officials, and ambassadors.

The summit focused on strengthening cooperation to address four global issues, namely climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, handling plastic waste at sea, and maritime governance.

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia has announced a funding commitment of 5 million US dollars during 2022-2025 to support the existence of the AIS Forum as a real contribution to sustainable development.