Agrees to Enhance Inclusive, Equal and Solid Cooperation

Badung, BTNp: THE 2023 High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum has agreed upon the Leaders’ Declaration on the Solidarity of the Archipelagic and Island States. This declaration signifies the commitment of archipelagic and island states to strengthen their collaboration in addressing common challenges based on the principles of solidarity, equality, and inclusiveness.

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo  delivered the statement during a press conference at the media center for the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali Province on Wednesday, 11 October 2023.

“Leaders of countries present at the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum agreed to uphold three principles as the foundation for enhancing collaboration,” said President Jokowi.

The President also said that Indonesia’s full support for this declaration is a manifestation of Indonesia’s commitment to further the existing cooperation among archipelagic and island states worldwide, enabling them to face global challenges through collaborations.

The President pointed out that the world is facing significant challenges of the increasingly evident threat of climate change. Some of the dangers highlighted include rising sea levels and the increasing impact of marine pollution by debris and waste, which jeopardize the sustainability of the oceans and nations’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“As a maritime nation, Indonesia will continue to be at the forefront in supporting the AIS Forum as an inclusive cooperation for archipelagic and island states,” the President said.

Indonesia is also committed to providing grants for the benefit of island states and developing countries. The government is known to have supported the growing cooperation, providing the starting support fund of USD 1 million in 2019 and adding USD 5 million to support the implementation of collaborative programs over three years.

The 1st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum was attended by 32 participating countries, including the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Prime Minister of Niue, the Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, Ministerial-level officials from Maldives, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Cape Verde, as well as high-ranking officials from Madagascar, New Zealand, Bahrain, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Ireland, Japan, Malta, Nauru, the Philippines, Santa Lucia, Samoa, Suriname, Vanuatu, and the United Kingdom.

Representatives from four international organizations also attended the meeting, namely the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). *BTNewspaper/AIS Forum