Apart from ensuring speedy editorial work, the media center also aims to provide a comfortable environment for the media crew after a long day of reporting at the HLM of AIS Forum, which is held on 10—11 October 2023 in the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) Badung Regency, Bali Province. 

"The facilities are excellent, ensuring the comfort of fellow journalists and assisting them in carrying out their duties," he stated on Wednesday, 10 October at the HLM of AIS Forum Media Center.

The Media Center has a high-speed internet connection. The Ministry of Communications and Informatics (MCI) has also taken precautions against potential network scrambling at both the 1st HLM venue and the airport when the Head of State is present to ensure that journalists can carry out their work without disruptions.

"Bandwidth and frequency are good. Everything can be used properly. There are 250 media covering the event, including 24 foreign media," said the Minister of Communications and Informatics. 

In relation to the anticipation of potential disruptions to telecommunications networks, the minister expressed confidence in addressing this issue. He cited that it was not difficult, as his ministry had dealt with it on multiple occasions, particularly during international events. “The MCI ensures that communication systems and signal frequencies remain good," said the minister.

The massage chair is one of the favorite facilities for both media personnel and visitors at the media center. Budi Arie also took the time to greet several on-duty journalists. "How is it? Did you get enough food? Have you tried the coffee? Is it good?" To which they answered, "All good, Sir." (Elvira Inda Sari/Wahyu/SC/WW)

***

 About AIS Forum:

The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320). 

Get more information on press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia. 

Foto caption: Minister of Communications and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi (left) inspects the photo host room for the 1st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday, 10 October 2023. ANTARA FOTO/Media Center KTT AIS Forum 2023/Jessica Wuysang/nym.

The decarbonization road map document was submitted by the Head of UNDP Indonesia Representative Norimasa Shimomura on the sidelines of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum 2023, Tuesday, 10 October at the Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center 1, Badung Regency, Bali.

"This road map development aims to formulate a strategic plan detailing the goals and activities to achieve a low-carbon tourism sector, especially to efficiently use resources and reduce the amount of waste generated from the tourism industry," said Minister Sandiaga.

Tourism is a sector that greatly contributes to Indonesia's economic growth. In 2022, foreign tourist visits reached 5.89 million people, with a tourism foreign exchange value of US$6.72 billion, an increase from 2021 of US$530.74 million.

Last year, domestic tourists reached 734.86 million trips, an increase of 19.82 percent (YoY) and 1.76 percent higher than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic condition in 2019.

These positive figures are in line with other achievements in the tourism and creative sector. Indonesia's tourism development index rose 12 places to 32nd in the world, surpassing Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

However, Indonesian tourism faces big challenges in the future. Apart from the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) conditions caused by global political conditions, Indonesia must be vigilant for climate change challenges. There are three main problems in the climate challenges called the triple planetary crisis. They are climate change, pollution, and biodiversity challenges.

"Therefore, concrete action is needed to overcome the triple planetary crisis to maintain the sustainability of the tourism sector in Indonesia," said Sandiaga.

Minister Sandiaga said this road map focuses on three main tourism subsectors, namely accommodation (star hotels), tourist attractions, and tours and travel. They are identified as the largest emitters in the tourism sector.

The accommodation subsector produces significant emissions because hotels, especially star hotels, use a lot of energy for operational activities, especially heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).

In the accommodation subsector, emissions come from rubbish and waste produced and the use of electricity, gas, and fuel. Apart from that, Star Hotel accommodation produces quite significant waste originating from solid waste, including food waste and liquid waste.

Furthermore, the tour and travel subsector also produces emissions from the use of passenger vehicles, such as buses.

The tourist attractions subsector, especially artificial attractions, which receive large numbers of tourist visits daily, is also one of the emitters in the tourism industry as tourists on vacation are very likely to visit attraction sites in a region.

The use of energy at tourist attractions cannot be avoided. It will produce emissions both from energy and waste produced. "Therefore, the three main subsectors of tourism must immediately take mitigation steps by using renewable energy and handling waste properly," said Minister Sandiaga.

Minister Sandiaga hopes that this Decarbonization Road Map can serve as a guide for various tourism industry stakeholders in Indonesia in formulating appropriate solutions and programs while providing action preferences in achieving net zero emissions.

"Let us start taking low-carbon action for a better earth," he concluded. (Kemparekraf/Elvira Inda Sari)

***

 About AIS Forum:

The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic waste management, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information please contact: 

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320). 

Get press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia  

Foto caption: Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) of the Republic of Indonesia, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, receives the Decarbonization Roadmap from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as a document that will become a common reference in preparing strategic plans for carrying out climate action in the tourism sector that is more environmentally friendly, low emissions, and achieves net zero emissions, on Tuesday, 10 October 2024 at Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center 1, Badung Regency, Bali.

Director General of Resources Management and Equipment of Posts and Informatics, Ismail, stated that this action is a standard technical procedure regularly undertaken by MCI to secure international events from signal interference or unauthorized telecommunications networks.

"Technical precautions have already been taken," he said at the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum Media Center in BNDCC, Bali, on Wednesday, 10 October. 

Nevertheless, the MCI has urged all operators to continue monitoring and anticipate the possibility that some users, especially those in proximity to the frequency spectrum around the 1st HLM location, may still be active.

"We urge everyone, operators, and users of unauthorized frequencies or those in proximity to the frequencies we need during the event, to turn them off. We also hope for public participation," Ismail underlined.

In ensuring the security of the telecommunications network during the 1st HLM, MCI is responsible for supervision and focuses on frequency spectrum interference.

Meanwhile, telecommunications services during the 1st HLM are provided by PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Tbk) or Telkom.

"So, if there are issues related to service quality, it will be directly handled by our colleagues from Telkom. That is how to make the distinction clear," explained Ismail.

Ismail also urged journalists to anticipate potential disruptions in cellular and WiFi signals when the 1st HLM’s main event takes place.

This is because standard signal scrambling procedures, involving jamming devices, are applied at the meetings attended by heads of state or representatives of AIS Forum participating countries.

"This is a security standard, so there might be some interference with the Wi-Fi," said Ismail. 

MCI has prepared a Local Area Network (LAN) cable in the Media Center room o counteract signal and internet disruptions. "So, internet connectivity can still function through cables," Ismail concluded. (WS/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/IF/FLW)

***

About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic waste management, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information please contact: 

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320). 

Get press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia. 

Foto caption: The situation of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, Tuesday, 10 October 2023. MEDIA CENTER KTT AIS 2023/M Agung Rajasa/rwa.

In her opening speech, the minister emphasized the meeting's three topics in line with the theme "Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation, for Our Ocean and Our Future."

"Tomorrow, the 1st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the AIS Forum will take place. A timely and historic meeting. Timely, because it is being held when the reality of our world today is grim," Retno said on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, at the Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center, Badung Regency, Bali Province.

She highlighted the global crisis caused by climate change, rising sea levels, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss. "This is a perilous situation for all of us," Retno added. Therefore, representing Indonesia, she invited everyone present to intensify cooperation in addressing all these issues.

"Rivalries, global conflicts, and distrust are taking hostage of our global cooperation, and vulnerable countries, including small island developing states, will be the first victims.  This is an urgent time for us as archipelagic and island states to stand in solidarity and work together," said Retno.

Retno stated that the AIS Forum must become a lighthouse that guides the pathway forward to develop inclusive and impactful cooperation and protect future generations.

Retno cited two important points supporting the AIS Forum's goals. The first is to promote solidarity among archipelagic and island states.

"The global pandemic has taught us a hard lesson that nobody is safe until everyone is.  Our shared challenges are unprecedented. The only path towards solutions is solidarity," she said.

To address challenges, according to Retno, the AIS Forum must continue to promote innovation to ensure global maritime sustainability. She also emphasized the commitment to concrete work on the four pillars of the AIS Forum, namely climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy and ecotourism, marine plastic debris management, and good maritime governance.

"The second point is that we must maintain synergy with other initiatives at the global level," Retno said.

As a complementary forum, the AIS Forum must continue collaborating with other development and regional initiatives across the globe. The AIS Forum must find its specific niche of cooperation and strengthen its framework to better serve the archipelagic and island people in addressing their common problems. 

The Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum should serve as a foundation to synergize solutions to address global challenges.

Most importantly, the AIS Forum must continue to connect sustainable joint efforts within an inclusive framework. "We must work hard to turn initiatives into reality," Retno concluded. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Budiana/Elvira Inda Sari/SW/WW).

***

About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320). 

Get more press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia.

Foto caption: The Ministerial Meeting (MM) of the 2023 AIS Forum is officially opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, at the Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center, Badung Regency, Bali Province. (Amiri Yandi/InfoPublik).

Several state leaders are scheduled to attend the 1st HLM in Bali, with five heads of state scheduled to attend in person, namely the President of Micronesia, the Prime Minister of Niue, the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, and the Prime Minister of Tuvalu.

Meanwhile, Fiji and Tonga will be represented by their deputy prime ministers. Eight countries will send their ministers to attend the event, namely the Maldives, Marshall Islands, Palau, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, and Papua New Guinea.

A total of three countries will send officials at the level of deputy minister, director-general, or secretary-general, namely Cape Verde, New Zealand, and Madagascar. Eleven countries will send their ambassadors, namely Ireland, Japan, Cyprus, Samoa, Malta, England, Saint Lucia, the Cook Islands, the Philippines, Suriname, and Bahrain.

Meanwhile, four international organizations will send their representatives, namely the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). (TR/Elvira Inda Sari/S/FLW)

***

About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart and innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320). 

Get more press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia. 

Foto caption: Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi (first row second right) accompanied by (from left) Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, UNDP Indonesia Resident Representative Norimasa Shimomura, Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Kuita Vaipulu prepares for a group photo with ministers, ambassadors, and representatives of participating countries of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday, 10 October 2023. ANTARA PHOTOS/Media Center of 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/pras.

Since 8:00 AM local time, delegates have been arriving at the Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center 1 for the meeting. The theme of the AIS Forum 2023 is "Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation, for our Ocean and Our Future."

The meeting focuses on three key areas: blue economy development, climate change challenges, and solidarity among archipelagic and island states.

One of the agenda items for the meeting is the preparation for the 1st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the AIS Forum scheduled for Friday, 11 October.

Additionally, the results of the 7th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in Suva, Fiji, and the 8th SOM in Antananarivo, Madagascar, will be presented.

The 1st HLM serves as a high-level meeting for the archipelagic and island states, providing a platform for cooperation among participating countries with the goal of strengthening collaboration to address global issues related to the oceans. (Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/IF/WW) ***

About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

Get more information on press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia. 

Foto caption: A woman walks past a 79-meter long and 6-meter high monitor displaying marine ecosystems at the First High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum venue in Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Badung Regency, Bali, Monday, 10 October 2023. This large monitor, displaying underwater ecosystem animations created by local animators, will welcome the arrival of the 1st HLM of the AIS Forum delegates at the venue. Media Center HLM AIS Forum 2023/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/pras/ratih.

This was said by the Regional Secretary of the Bali Provincial Government, Dewa Made Indra, on Tuesday, 10 October. The appeal and prohibition, he emphasized, are essential to ensure safety and comfort during the 1st HLM in the region.

“Regarding the security of the 1st HLM of the AIS Forum, the National Police (Polri) has already carried out Operation Tribrata Agung 2023. The regulation on the prohibition on flying drones has been implemented in the operation,” he said.

He also mentioned that the anticipation and mitigation of security in the operation carried out by the National Police would be handled by the Action Task Force tasked with handling various potential disturbances, such as social conflict, terrorism, the use of firearms, explosives, bombs, and unregistered flying drones during the event.

The ban on drones, added Dewa Made Indra, also applies to kite flying activities, which have always been a popular activity in Bali.

This ban is even outlined in Circular Letter Number B.23.338/14322/V/DISNAKER ESDM on kite flying activities from 4—18 October in Bali Province.

“In line with the National Police’s Operation, to ensure security, order, and smooth running of the 1st HLM, we strongly urge the public to refrain from flying drones or unmanned aircraft in the Nusa Dua area,” he said.

The 1st HLM carries the theme "Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation, for Our Ocean and Our Future". The meeting will address global issues related to the ocean.

Indonesia, at the HLM, promotes and focuses on three aspects, namely blue economy development, climate change, and strengthening the solidarity between island and archipelagic countries.

The AIS Forum collaboration will bring benefits to all participating countries, including Indonesia, by improving communications, sharing experiences, and accelerating the solutions to development problems through the unification of views on marine issues. (US/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/AAN/FLW)

***

About AIS Forum:

The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart and innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

Get more press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia.

Foto caption: Regional Secretary of Bali Provincial Government, Dewa Made Indra, when contacted by the Communications and Media Team, on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, emphasized the ban on drones flying during the 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum in Bali. (Photo: Bali Provincial Government Public Relations)

"At the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, we proposed five main policies to implement the blue economy. We have also conveyed this to all participating countries of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum," said Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono in Jakarta, Monday evening, 9 October 2023.

The first of the five main policies is the expansion of conservation areas. This policy is crucial because it also concerns climate change.

"It is about how marine conservation area absorbs five times more carbon than the one on land while producing oxygen and serving as a natural spawning area for fisheries in the sea," said Trenggono.

The second policy is measured fishing. "We also said to all participating countries of the AIS Forum that Indonesia will start implementing this policy immediately. Government Regulation No. 11 2023 has been issued, stating that fishing at sea, especially in Indonesian waters, must be based on quotas," he said.

The third policy is the development of sustainable aquaculture in coastal, marine, and inland fisheries.

"This is important. Five commodities must become a flagship in the next few years, namely shrimp, lobster, crab, tilapia, and seaweed," said Trenggono.

The fourth policy is the supervision of small islands and coasts. This is also important in relation to climate change as well.

"The fifth policy, as previously mentioned in international forums, including at the AIS Forum last year, is the effort to reduce marine plastic debris involving the participation of fishers," said Trenggono.

The minister explained that the establishment of the AIS Forum always refers to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, especially regarding good global maritime governance.

Trenggono explained that there are three key points to ensure the continuity of the AIS Forum. Firstly,  the sense of sharing a common fate.

"Since we are all island-based countries, we are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We can work together with these countries to address the same challenges related to climate change," he said.

Secondly, the political desire that will be outlined in the HLM of AIS Forum Leaders' Declaration to encourage the AIS Forum to become a stronger and more effective institution in the future. And lastly, the aspects of funding sources, knowledge, and experience.

One of the matters to be accommodated in the AIS Forum Leaders’ Declaration related to sustainable marine management is that all AIS Forum participating countries, especially state leaders, must share the same perspective on managing, maintaining, and protecting the ocean, with ecology taking precedence.

"In general, the AIS Forum participating countries responded positively and respected each other's level of commitment. In this forum, it is in the interests of AIS countries to share their experiences. Hopefully, the same perspectives and commitments can be agreed upon in the coming days," said the minister.

The biggest challenge is the vast marine resources, with an emphasis on maintaining its ecology as a priority. However, there is significant economic pressure, especially in maritime countries with large populations like Indonesia.

“How do we effectively govern marine space? How do we organize marine governance to ensure its preservation? It is crucial that the five programs we initiated as part of the blue economy program are conveyed in the forum so that all archipelagic countries are committed to protecting the ocean as one ecology, including the biota within it,” said the minister. (KKP/TR Public Relations/Elvira Inda Sari/WS/WW)

***

About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance. 

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

Get more press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia. 

Foto caption: Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono delivers his address at the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue in Bali, Monday, 9 October 2023. Indonesia will reaffirm its commitment to implementing the blue economy in marine spatial governance at the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum.

"AIS Forum is a concrete forum. We don't want this to be just a platform for exchanging speeches, instead, to focus on underground initiatives developed based on input from the community for the progress of these archipelagic and island countries," said Deputy Coordinating Minister for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy of Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Jodi Mahardi during a press conference at the HLM of AIS Forum Media Center at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) 1 in Bali on Monday, 9 October.

Jodi explained that, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the AIS Forum Secretariat continues to develop initiatives and programs that can be implemented in Islands and Archipelagic countries.

"We have regional directors in Madagascar, Fiji, and Barbados, to name a few, whose task is to establish communication with the local communities of AIS Forum countries to seek for insights and programs to support the AIS Forum secretariat. It’s proof that the Forum has an actual global reach, not only in one region," he explained.

Jodi emphasized that the Indonesian government fully supports the AIS Forum and is committed to promoting its presence and implementation. More importantly, promoting the role of young people and startups to collaborate and find common solutions to the problems faced by the archipelagic and island nations.

"The archipelagic and island states are resilient and innovative. Indonesia believes that through this forum, AIS Forum countries will be able to demonstrate their capacity to solve problems without relying on assistance from other parties. This can be realized by strengthening solidarity and sharing innovation," he said.

The Indonesian government also supports AIS Forum programs, including funding. Up to this point, Indonesia has contributed a sum of US$5 million.

"In 2019, Indonesia provided a contribution of 1 million US dollars for various purposes, including establishing the secretariat (of AIS Forum), implementing cooperation, and strengthening collaboration between countries. We have created a knowledge-sharing platform and organised workshops. These programs involved youth, innovators, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to support the blue economy," said Jodi.

The 2023 HLM of AIS Forum is a platform for cooperation among archipelagic and island states aimed at strengthening collaboration to address four global issues, climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, addressing marine plastic debris, and maritime governance.

Jodi added that the AIS Forum focuses on concrete matters and has prepared various programs aiming to promote the development of the Forum and give impact to the entire archipelagic and island states communities.

In addition, it is expected that participating countries of the 2023 HLM of AIS Forum will reach an agreement on the Leaders Declaration. "But the most important aspect of the leaders' declaration is to reach an agreement on acknowledging the urgent need of the AIS Forum, to promote cooperation in areas such as the blue economy, marine pollution, climate change mitigation, and ocean governance," said Jodi. (TR/Elvira Inda Sari).

***

About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic waste management, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

Get press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia. 

Foto caption: Deputy Coordinator for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), Jodi Mahardi, during a press conference at the AIS Forum Media Center at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) 1 Bali on Monday, 10 October 2023.

This was stated by the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in his virtual address at the "AIS Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue: Forging A New Era of Sustainable Growth" event in Bali, Monday, 9 October 2023.

"The integration of tourism and the creative economy (creativity) is the key," said Sandiaga Uno.

In this endeavor, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has introduced various programs and policies to promote the realization of high-quality and, most importantly, sustainable tourism. These include reducing carbon emissions and preserving natural resources, culture, and local traditions.

Meanwhile, the development in the creative economy sector is based on creative spaces, innovation, and the strengthening of intellectual property.

"We have several tourism polytechnics that provide training and education to empower people with skills and abilities that support sustainable practices," said Sandiaga.

Sandiaga also called on all parties to continue innovating and collaborating by focusing on long-term visions and commitments to sustainable development.

"I believe that by integrating creativity, culture, and sustainable principles, we can unlock growth potential while preserving our diversity and natural wealth," he said.

Furthermore, Deputy for Industry and Investment of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Rizki Handayani added that the ministry is firmly committed to exploring best practices in decarbonization and climate action in the tourism sector, as well as a strong responsibility for climate sustainability and resilience.

The signing of the Glasgow Declaration in 2022 is a tangible commitment of the ministry to align tourism policies with climate action goals.

The ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have collaborated on the “Climate Promise Project,” which details a roadmap for decarbonization in the tourism industry’s three subsectors: tourist destinations, accommodations, and tour and travel.

"In this initiative, the roadmap focuses on energy consumption and waste production. The selection of these two aspects is because both contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions," said Rizki.

Rizki hopes that the "AIS Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue" forum, as a side event of the 1st High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum, can pave the way for sustainable development of tourism and management of natural resources for the benefit of future generations.

"We hope this event can be the starting point for more partnerships in the future to create a resilient and climate-friendly tourism sector," said Rizki Handayani. (Kemenparekraf Public Relations Bureau/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/IF/WW)

***

About AIS Forum:

The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.

For more information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

Get more press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 1st HLM of AIS Forum 2023 at https://s.id/aispedia.

Foto caption: Tourism and the creative economy must be maximized to ensure sustainable growth that considers the community's interests. This was stated by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in his virtual address at the "AIS Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue: Forging A New Era of Sustainable Growth" event in Bali on Monday, 9 October 2023.