President Jokowi: AIS Forum Members Agree to Enhance Cooperation Based on Solidarity, Inclusiveness

President Jokowi accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L. P. Marsudi and Minister of the Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar at the press conference, Bali province, Wednesday (10/11). (Photo by: BPMI)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (10/11) stated that the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit can serve as a forum to voice the interests of developing countries and island countries.

“The AIS Forum Summit is one of Indonesia’s commitments to cooperate at a higher level, becoming an international organization that take concrete steps to handle regional and global issues,” President Jokowi said at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Badung regency, Bali province.

According to the President, in the Summit, the AIS Forum members agreed to strengthen collaboration based on the principles of solidarity, equality, and inclusiveness.

“Island and archipelagic nations must be able to cooperate in efforts to address various challenges,” he said, adding that developing countries and island countries have the same rights to achieve progress and carry out development.

President Jokowi further said that that various collaborations of the Forum have provided concrete benefits, including for communities in coastal areas.

“Including scholarships, joint research funding, development of the AIS Blue Start-up Hub, digitalization training for MSME, development of innovative funding. Apart from that, [the collaborations] also provide strategic benefits related to marine carbon calculation and mangrove forests preservation,” the President said.

The Head of State also affirmed Indonesia’s commitment to be at the forefront in supporting the AIS Forum as a form of inclusive cooperation. “Indonesia is also committed to preparing grant funds to be utilized, especially in overcoming climate change and developing blue innovation, and sustainable marine governance,” he added.

On the occasion, the President also underlined that unity and collaboration between archipelagic and island states is the key to progress in facing current global challenges.

“The sea is not a separator between lands but, in fact, it unites them. The sea is a binder and a link between continents,” President Jokowi remarked. (FID/UN) (GWH/MMB)