Jakarta – In the inaugural High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the AIS Forum, held on 10-11 October in Badung, Bali, 32 participating countries and four international organisations convened under the banner of “Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation, for Our Ocean and Our Future,” the official event page said. The meeting aims to adopt a Leader’s Declaration on the Solidarity of Archipelagic and Island States.
During the event, three key messages emerged: a commitment to solidarity, equality, and inclusiveness, prioritising tailored cooperation to meet the recipient’s needs, and establishing a robust cooperation framework to address future challenges.
The opening ceremony of the AIS Forum’s first-ever HLM saw enthusiastic participation from delegates. Notably, the AIS Forum introduced side events like the AIS Blue Hub and the AIS Research and Development (R&D) Center programs, further highlighting the importance of sustainable blue growth.
As the world embarks on a new era of sustainable blue growth, the meeting emphasised the shared responsibility of ensuring that no one is left behind, particularly island and archipelago nations, which are often the most vulnerable to climate change. These nations, often composed of the least developed countries, should benefit from the evolving blue economy landscape.
Delegates at the HLM are committed to promoting solidarity and collaboration in addressing climate change challenges, especially those impacting the marine sector. During a press conference, H.E. Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, stressed the importance of involving all stakeholders in these efforts.
The 1st High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum underscores the significance of fostering collaboration and innovation to secure our ocean and future as the world collectively faces pressing challenges related to climate change and the marine sector. (Hartatik)
