Wahyu Dwi Anggoro
IDXChannel - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the first Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit in Bali on Wednesday (11/10/2023).
"Indonesia is honored to host the historic momentum of the first AIS Forum Summit," Jokowi said in his opening remarks.
"Oceans are not separators between lands. Oceans are actually unifiers between lands. Oceans are actually the glue and connector between lands," he stated.
According to Jokowi, the interests of island states and the interests of developing countries have been consistently voiced by Indonesia, both at the G20 summit last year as well as at the ASEAN Summit and AIS Summit this year.
Indonesia is also committed to provide a grant to be used for the benefit of island states and developing countries.
"Indonesia would like to invite all countries present to choose to continue to forge unity and collaboration even in the midst of a divided world," he stated.
Archipelagic and island states, he added, share common complex challenges, that are intertwined and connected with one another.
Such as in relation to sea level rise, governance of marine resources and marine pollution.
Therefore, collaboration and solidarity amongst archipelagic and island states is very important to produce synergistic, concrete and tactical measures in resolving these common challenges.
"And this AIS Summit serves as an important opportunity to set the direction of our collaboration in the future. In which, there are
3 things that we need to strive for," he continued.
"First, solidarity, equality and inclusivity. As principles that we must uphold together. Second, priority on concrete cooperation which is tailored to the needs of recipients. Third, a resilient and dynamic cooperation framework to face the challenges of the future," he added.
(WHY)
