LocationsAIS Forum nations eye stronger collaboration in blue economy
December 15, 2022
The 4th AIS Forum Ministerial Meeting
Bali, Indonesia, December 9 – The governments of 21 archipelagic and island states (AIS) participating countries this week agreed to step up commitments and action to avert the imminent danger of climate crisis by strengthening collaboration in blue economy.
The agreement was reached during the AIS Forum 4th Ministerial Meeting and the 6th Senior Official Meeting in Bali, Indonesia, the first offline gathering in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gathering also saw renewed commitment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the current AIS Forum Secretariat, to support the Forum for another six years.
Delegations who attended the 4th AIS Forum Ministerial Meeting and 6th AIS Forum Senior Official Meeting
“The far-reaching effects of climate change, in particular the sea level rise and ocean acidification, compounded with the impacts of the global health, economic, and environmental crises also call for a higher commitment to magnify the voices of archipelagic and island states over these pressing issues and therefore, it is crucial to further concrete actions and effective collaboration within the AIS Forum, other existing mechanisms, and strategic friends,” according to the statement.
The AIS Forum gathering also agreed to hold the first AIS Summit, to be attended by the head of states, in 2023 with a focus on blue economy.
Indonesian Coordinating Minister of Marine Affairs and Investment, H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, H.E. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and Indonesian Foreign Minister, H.E. Retno Marsudi chaired the fourth AIS Forum Ministerial meeting.
This collaboration is important to us. This is the common aspiration of all islanders. Our lives are tied to the ocean; it is our home”, said Pandjaitan whose country was the founding member of the AIS Forum.
The AIS Forum Ministerial meeting in Bali came two months after the Government of Indonesia signed a USD 5 million financing agreement with UNDP to boost cooperation of the AIS Forum.
Norimasa Shimomura, Resident Representative of UNDP Indonesia, co-chaired the 4th AIS Forum Ministerial Meeting
UNDP Indonesia Resident Representative of UNDP Indonesia, Norimasa Shimomura, and, Deputy of Coordinating Minister for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy of Indonesia, co-Chair-ed the 6th Senior Official Meeting.
“We all hope to see more concrete collaboration and cooperation with tangible benefit for the communities in all island and archipelagic states”, said Mr. Shimomura.
The final outcome documents also highlight the importance of nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches; and to promote sustainable and smart innovative solutions through start-up communities.
“This year's meetings embrace the focus of the discussion on two ambitious agenda: Blue Strategic Cooperation and the 1st High Level Meeting as the Avenue to Elevate AIS Forum Collaboration” announced Trenggono.
The Chair and Co-Chairs of the 4th AIS Forum Ministerial Meeting and Chair of the 6th AIS Forum Senior Official Meeting. From left to right: Norimasa Shimomura, Resident Representative of UNDP Indonesia; H.E. Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia; H.E. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment of Indonesia; H.E. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia; Jodi Mahardi, Deputy of Coordinating Minister for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy of Indonesia
Since its first establishment in 2018 through Manado Declaration, AIS' development has been exceptional. One of its programs, Blue Start-up Innovation Hub, a platform that connects entrepreneurs across AIS States, has provided capacity building for over 1,500 people in MSMEs sectors. Moreover, AIS Forum has also provided more than USD 100,000 worth of scholarships and research grants to address common challenges of archipelagic and island states.
Media Contacts
UNDP Indonesia, Senior Advisor for Climate and Environmental Governance, Abdul Situmorang, abdul.situmorang@undp.org
UNDP Indonesia Communication Specialist, Tomi Soetjipto, suryo.tomi@undp.org
AIS Forum Communication Officer, Adream Bais Junior, adream.junior@undp.org
