Bali, 6 December 2022 (TDI): The 4th Ministerial Meeting of Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum took place in Bali, Indonesia from 5-6 December 2022.
The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs of Indonesia and Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi launched the AIS forum in Bali by inviting archipelagic countries to protect shared interests in global forums.
Furthermore, the Ministerial meeting final report focuses on high-level meeting planning and blue strategic collaboration. Also, importance was given to creating systems that would enable the sustainable use of maritime resources.
Read more: G20 DMM highlights Indonesia’s blue economy roadmap
The meeting stated clearly how crucial it is to continue looking into and growing the blue economy’s potential for archipelagic and island governments. This will lead to post-pandemic recovery and address current global concerns.
Advancements made by AIS Forum
Moreover, the participants in the meeting welcomed and appreciated the advancements made by the AIS Forum Secretariat since the third ministerial meeting.
Especially in the field of smart and creative solutions. This includes the Blue Economy Development Index and the AIS Blue Startup Hub ecosystem.
UNDP
In his remarks on the AIS Forum Secretariat’s progress report and work plan, UNDP Resident Representative, Norimasa Shimomura invited the AIS countries to actively participate and engage by expanding programme on entrepreneurship, research and development, and sustainable financing.
In this regard, Valerie Julliand, the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, also talked about the national blue agenda action partnership.
However, the AIS Forum was established as an open-ended, integrated, and inclusive development forum. This commits to working together to address common challenges in the key thematic areas.
These include climate change, adaptation and disaster management; blue economy; marine plastic debris; and good maritime governance.
Also read: Indonesia and Its Role in the South China Sea
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