AIS Forum 2023

PRESS RELEASE 78 (on progress)

PRESS RELEASE 77 (on progress)

<p><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"><b>Bali, 14 October 2023</b></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"> – Seagrass bed is a lush expanse of green underwater vegetation that thrives in clean and shallow waters at depths of 0 to 10 meters. These plants flourish in calm currents at approximately 0.5 meters per second. Indonesian waters, particularly along the east and west coasts of Sumatra, have become a comfortable home for seagrass, such as in the Tanjung Kelayang area in East Belitung, Bangka Belitung Province.</span><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Seagrass thrives in regions like Batam, Bintan, Nias, and parts of Lampung. Seagrass, forming a triumvirate of coastal defense or greenbelt with mangroves and coral reefs, can also be found in the shallow waters of Nusa Tenggara, western Sulawesi, and the Maluku Islands.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Indonesia's waters harbor a significant amount of seagrass. Out of approximately 60 seagrass species worldwide, 15 are found in Indonesian waters. The most common seagrass species in Indonesia include Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, and Cymodocea serrulata.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Like mangroves and coral reefs, seagrass beds serve as the best habitat for several endangered species, such as sea turtles and dugongs. These marine creatures treat the underwater meadows like a five-star Michelin restaurant, always serving the finest and most delicious menu, the seagrass.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Seagrass beds also provide an abundant food source for marine life, including spinefoot fish, seahorses, crabs, clams, other small fish, and crustaceans. Moreover, seagrass beds play a vital role in preventing coastal erosion. The dense seagrass can slow down the flow of water and waves toward the shore, creating calm waters around the seagrass beds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Indonesia has the largest expanse of seagrass beds in Southeast Asia and ranks second globally after Australia. Indonesian seagrass beds cover approximately 15% of the world's total seagrass bed area. Marine biogeochemistry researcher Aan Johan Wahyudi from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) said that the verified and validated seagrass beds in Indonesia cover an area of 293,464 hectares, as determined by satellite imagery and field observations.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">According to BRIN's research, Aan mentioned that the current expanse of seagrass beds in Indonesia has the capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) in the range of 1.9 to 5.8 megatons (Mt) of carbon per year. As with mangroves, seagrass has substantial carbon absorption capacity. Every hectare of seagrass bed can absorb up to 6.59 tons of carbon annually.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">He emphasized that the carbon-absorbing ability of seagrass meadows is far superior to any terrestrial vegetation. "This figure is truly fantastic because the carbon absorption capacity of seagrass is greater than that of terrestrial vegetation. It can be up to 77% higher than terrestrial vegetation such as forests," he stated, as reported by Antara.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Carbon Control</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Considering these facts, coastal vegetation like seagrass beds become essential for carbon control efforts, a prominent program in Indonesia's agenda until 2045. However, despite the recorded potential of seagrass bed area in the country reaching 875,967 hectares, the efforts of environmental organizations to intensify research still need improvements.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Overall, seagrass beds that can absorb carbon are still dominated by Enhalus acoroides and Thalassia hemprichii species. These two seagrass species are particularly crucial due to their significant carbon reserves.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Carbon reserves in seagrass are stored in the substrate beneath the seafloor sand and integrated with seagrass roots. These reserves can endure for extended periods if the coastal areas remain undisturbed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">According to seagrass researcher Nurul Dhewani Mirah Sjafrie from BRIN, only 15.35% of the validated seagrass area is considered to be in excellent or healthy condition. The remaining 53.8% is classified as less healthy, with approximately 30.77% categorized as poor or deteriorating.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Following the Minister of Environment's Decree No. 200 of 2004, healthy seagrass beds should have a minimum coverage of 60%. Currently, the average seagrass bed coverage in Indonesia stands at 42.23%.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Therefore, the government is determined to protect the greenbelt ecosystem, which includes seagrass meadows. This is also an effort to regulate and manage the potential marine resources in the country.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">These efforts are also in accordance with Government Regulation No. 16 of 2017 on Indonesia’s Maritime Policy, which serves as the guiding framework for maritime policy and implementation steps through various ministries and agencies in the field of maritime affairs.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Since 2017, the Indonesian government has been collaborating with the Australian government to preserve seagrass beds as part of a maritime-focused bilateral agreement.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Collaborative Efforts</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">According to two BRIN researchers, Husen Rifai and Kevin M Lukman, as reported in “Ambio: A Journal of Environment and Society,” seagrass ecosystems must be restored to address climate change and other environmental issues. They emphasize the need for the government to implement seagrass restoration programs and involve coastal communities in preserving seagrass bed ecosystems.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"Community awareness is a vital factor for the success of seagrass conservation and restoration. If communities neglect this, it can lead to a setback for seagrass beds conservation efforts," they stated.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Husen and Kevin propose large-scale seagrass bed restoration efforts involving various stakeholders and related organizations. Indonesia can draw inspiration from Australia, where seagrass bed restoration has been successfully implemented at a much lower cost than coral reef restoration.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">They estimate a cost of around $700,000 (Rp10.8 billion) per hectare for seagrass restoration efforts, including planning, planting, and monitoring. In contrast, coral restoration reaches approximately U$3 million (Rp45 billion) per hectare. “When carried out in developing countries like Indonesia, the costs would certainly be lower due to the less expensive human resources compared to Australia,” Kevin said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">An example of this approach can be seen in the Sangkarang Islands, South Sulawesi, where seagrass bed restoration efforts covering 600 square meters consumed a budget of U$100,000 (Rp1.5 billion) for planning, planting, and monitoring over three years. This program, initiated in 2016, used a transplantation method, relocating healthy seagrass plants and planting them at the target location.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">After seven years of implementation, the restoration effort has yielded positive results. The recovered seagrass beds attract marine wildlife and protect against coastal erosion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Support from the AIS Forum</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum also supports seagrass preservation efforts, recognizing its multitude of benefits. This support is part of climate change mitigation and adaptation of sustainable ocean governance, one of the four main objectives of this forum, which was established in Manado, North Sulawesi, on 1 November 2018.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The AIS Forum has established international partnerships to develop innovative solutions. One of these is the Seagrass Carbon Converter (SCC), a web-based application for calculating carbon reserves and absorption in seagrass beds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Developed by the AIS Forum Secretariat in collaboration with BRIN's Oceanography Research Center, SCC estimates carbon reserves and absorption in the coastal areas of AIS Forum participating countries. SCC was introduced at the 1st High-Level Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, on 10 – 11 October.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Hopefully, the efforts to preserve seagrass ecosystems in Indonesia will enhance the well-being of coastal communities and protect marine biodiversity, including endangered species. (Anton Setiawan/Ratna Nuraini/Elvira Inda Sari/IF/WW)</span></p><p style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 15px;">***</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>About AIS Forum:</b><br></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">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.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">For more information, please contact:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Get more information on press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">AIS Forum at </span><a href="https://s.id/aispedia.">https://s.id/aispedia.</a><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Foto caption: Deputy for Prevention of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Prasinta Dewi (center), plants mangrove seedlings in the coastal area of Tapulaga Village, Soropia Subdistrict, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Thursday, 12 October 2023. BNPB, in collaboration with the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Government, initiated the planting of 7,000 mangrove seedlings to strengthen disaster mitigation efforts against tsunami and coastal erosion as part of the 2023 Disaster Risk Reduction Month (DRR Month) commemoration in Kendari City. ANTARA FOTO/Jojon/YU</i></span></p>

Seagrass Beds, Indonesia’s Future Carbon Storage

Bali, 14 October 2023 – Seagrass bed is a lush expanse of green underwater vegetation that thrives in clean and shallow waters at depths of 0 to 10 meters. These plants flourish in calm currents at approximately 0.5 meters per second. Indonesian waters, particularly along the east and west coasts...

<p><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">Bali, 14 October 2023 – In 2020, Trevor Nace wrote an article in Forbes. He said scientists had predicted that almost 90 percent of the Earth’s coral reefs would disappear due to the rising sea temperature, high acidity of seawater, pollution, and human civilization.</span><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Coral reefs are part of the coastal ecosystem with many benefits, including as a breeding ground, food source, and a sanctuary for reef fishes. Therefore, they are essential sources of food and income for hundreds of millions of people living in island and archipelagic countries.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Indonesia, as one of the world's largest archipelagic countries, is located in one of the most diverse coral reef ecosystems in the world, called the Coral Triangle. This area covers more than 6 million square kilometers extending from Indonesia to the Solomon Islands. Conservation organization, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), estimated that by 2100, the area will eventually disappear.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Being aware of the threat, Jotje Aquarista Ingratubun, a lecturer at Ottow Geissler University in Jayapura, and her students created an affordable and sustainable coral reef.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Initially, the students were worried about the coral reef ecosystem in the waters of Papua as the coverage area was getting lower and lower. In 2013, the coverage area of coral reefs in Papua was recorded at around 670,000 hectares. However, by 2022, it had dropped to 262,378 hectares.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Household waste pollution carried by river currents affected the water quality and thus disrupted the growth of coral reefs. This condition was worsened by the use of non-environmentally friendly fishing gear.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The Ottow Geissler University team started to work hard and came up with the idea of using artificial coral reef technology. Although the technology had already existed, they innovated by utilizing accessible materials that would not harm the environment and called the technology Bioreeftek.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">This green and simple technology used natural coconut shells as a medium to attach coral reef organisms into new individual colonies or reefs. Bioreeftek was developed by utilizing coral reef planula larvae naturally or through sexual reproduction.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Once the coral reef planula larvae are attached to the Bioreeftek, they can be moved to other locations that have relatively low </span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">coverage of coral reefs for rehabilitation. After going through a series of follow-up research, the team decided to join a prestigious national innovation competition called the Student Creativity Program, and they successfully passed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">After the competition, Jotje Aquarista proposed to her team to directly apply this technology to one of the villages in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province. And finally, the technology was implemented in the designated village called the Kayu Batu Village, located on Jayapura’s coast.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">With full support from the AIS Forum and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), on 12 August 2022, the team conducted training for local villagers to understand the importance of coral reef ecosystems and the implementation of Bioreeftek. A total of 23 villagers joined the session, assisted by 25 students who taught and helped the villagers in building the Bioreeftek.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The Head of Kayu Batu Village, Jayapura, Akilla Makanuay, said that in 2020 their village had also previously planted coral reefs. "Unfortunately, the coral reefs we planted failed to grow. We hope this activity can restore the coral reef ecosystem in our area, as we have agreed not to destroy them again," he said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Together, the students and villagers began to dive and plant the Bioreeftek on 100 square meters of land in the coastal area of Kayu Batu Village. Now, the area is covered in coral reefs that serve as a new home for the new larvae.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"Bioreeftek has easily created new coral reefs. Once they grow up, they can be moved to areas where coral reefs are still lacking," said the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Maritime at Ottow Geissler University, Simon H. Nenepath.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Restoring coral reefs around the coast became an important project for villages, cities, and countries to create cleaner seas and diverse ecosystems, especially in countries whose territory is dominated by coastal zones. In the future, the planted Bioreeftek will be monitored, and the colony will be expanded to the unexplored waters around Jayapura. (Anton Setiawan/Elvira Inda Sari/AAN/FLW)</span></p><p style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 15px;">***</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>About AIS Forum:</b><br></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">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.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">For more information, please contact:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Get more information on press releases, narratives, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at https://s.id/aispedia.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Foto caption: MotoGP rider from the LCR Honda Idemitsu-Castrol (Honda) team Takaaki Nakagami (right) together with WithU Aprilia RNF MotoGP Team rider Miguel Oliveira (second right) and Aprilia Racing Team rider Maverick Vinales (third right) carry a coral reef transporter during the coral planting and beach cleaning activities by MotoGP riders at Kuta Beach Park the Mandalika, Kuta, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday, 12 October 2023. Ahead of the 2023 Pertamina Indonesia Grand Prix held on 13—15 October 2023, the riders engaged in Beach Cleaning and Coral Planting Activity at the Kuta Mandalika beach as a form of waste4change movement action to demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the continued preservation of the natural environment around Lombok. ANTARA FOTO/Ahmad Subaidi/foc.</i></span></p>

AIS Forum to Assist Coral Reefs Restoration in Jayapura

Bali, 14 October 2023 – In 2020, Trevor Nace wrote an article in Forbes. He said scientists had predicted that almost 90 percent of the Earth’s coral reefs would disappear due to the rising sea temperature, high acidity of seawater, pollution, and human civilization.Coral reefs are part of the...

Successful Collaboration in Organizing the 2023 HLM of AIS Forum

Badung, 13 October 2023 – Once again, Indonesia has successfully hosted a High-Level Meeting. The most recent one was held on 10 – 11 October 2023, the 2023 High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali Province.As with any conference, the success...

<p><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"><b>Badung, 13 October 2023</b></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"> – It was still fresh in people’s minds when Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and several heads of state/government attending the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali visited Grand Forest Park (Tahura) I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Denpasar on 16 November 2022. Wearing a white long-sleeved polo shirt, they carried out a mangrove planting activity at an open area in Tahura Ngurah Rai.</span><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">President Jokowi and leaders of the G20 countries, including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shoveled the soil and put mangrove seedlings.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">This activity caught the world's attention because it was considered interesting and had never been carried out at the previous G20 Summit. The mangrove planting was held again during the 1st HLM of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua, which took place on 10—11 October.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Unlike the G20 Summit, mangrove planting at the 1st HLM was carried out by Balinese society. They joined the Batu Lumbang Joint Business Group (KUB) to plant mangroves in the Suwung Estuary Dam, Pamogan Village, South Denpasar District, Denpasar City on Wednesday, 11 October.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">A total of 500 mangrove seedlings were prepared to be planted along the Suwung Dam coastal area. The event continued with a clean-up activity at the mangrove forest area around the Suwung Dam.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Mangrove was also a topic at the 1st HLM. Besides Indonesia, other AIS Forum participating countries, such as Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, have the largest mangrove forests in the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">This was conveyed by the Indonesian Minister of Forestry and Environment, Siti Nurbaya Abubakar, when accompanying President Jokowi at a press conference after opening the 1st HLM at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Badung Regency, Bali, on Wednesday, 11 October. "This can be an initial topic of discussion that we will bring to COP 28," said Siti.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The COP or the Conference of the Parties is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which was part of the “Earth Summit” Declaration in Rio</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">de Janeiro, Brazil on 1 June 1992. Currently, the COP, also known as the Climate Change Conference, has entered its 28th year and will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">On that occasion, the Minister of Environment and Forestry also reported to President Jokowi that delegations from several AIS Forum participating countries had visited the Bali Grand Forest Park, a mangrove ecosystem area that spans around 1,373 hectares.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"I report to the President that the delegations from several AIS Forum countries, such as ministers from Seychelles and Sao Tome and Principe, visit the mangrove nursery area planted by the G20 leaders," said Minister Siti Nurbaya.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">They wanted to learn how Indonesia developed and conserved mangroves. Based on data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia has the largest mangrove forest in the world, reaching 3,364,080 hectares or around 22.6 percent of the world's total mangrove area.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The Indonesian government is expanding the mangrove area to reach 600,000 hectares by 2024 because of the benefits of mangroves for coastal areas and climate change mitigation efforts. Mangroves are a powerful carbon sink and can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Mangroves can absorb 77 percent more carbon than land vegetation such as forests because they can store carbon in coastal and marine ecosystems (blue carbon) and have great potential. Moreover, the potential for blue carbon in Indonesia reaches 3.4 giga tonnes, or around 17 percent of the blue carbon in the world. (Anton Setiawan/Donna/Elvira Inda Sari/S/FLW)</span></p><p style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 15px;">***</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>About AIS Forum:</b><br></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">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.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">For more information, please contact:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Get more information on press releases, narratives, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at </span><a href="https://s.id/aispedia.">https://s.id/aispedia.</a><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Foto caption: Several participants plant mangroves in Percut Sei Tuan, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Saturday, 7 October 2023 to commemorate Indian Culture Day and celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's 154th birthday. The Indian Consulate General in Medan plant 2,000 mangroves to reduce the impact of coastal erosion and tidal floods in the area. ANTARA FOTO/Fransisco Carolio/YU</i></span></p>

Mangrove Planting: Tradition at International Events in Bali

Badung, 13 October 2023 – It was still fresh in people’s minds when Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and several heads of state/government attending the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali visited Grand Forest Park (Tahura) I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Denpasar on 16 November 2022. Wearing a white...

<p><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"><b>Bali, 12 October 2023</b></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"> – The blue economy program of Bulan Cinta Laut (Ocean Love Month) (BCL) is one of the strategies presented by Indonesia at the 2023 High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Bali on October 9 – 11, to serve as a good model in addressing marine debris issue.</span><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The program, led by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), has been running since early 2022. It has inspired various parties to innovate in proper marine debris management, thereby preventing it from polluting the oceans.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">A portion of the community, including fishers in Padang, West Sumatra, compete to collect marine debris or waste as they can be exchanged for savings or gold coins. Sajameh is an innovative program that accommodates the conversion of waste into gold.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"Starting from the implementation of BCL last year in Padang, the harbormaster initiated the development of the Sajameh program at Bungus Ocean Fishing Port (PPS)," said Melly Masrul, Director of Sajameh Waste Bank Unit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Sajameh is an abbreviation of ‘sarok jadi ameh,’ which in the Minang language means ‘from trash to gold.’ This program began in March 2023, following a similar concept to the BCL program, which aims to build a circular economy within the community with marine debris as the primary commodity.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">PPS Bungus also prepared a waste bank to collect marine debris from the community, fishers, and sanitation workers at the port. The Sajameh team sorts the debris into categories, including metal, paper, plastic, used cooking oil, textile products, and organic waste such as leaves and tree branches.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Melly explained that the value of waste increases after it has been sorted. Apart from having higher value, the types of waste are also diverse. For example, a plastic water bottle can be separated into several components when sorted, including the bottle, the cap, and the branded plastic.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"The price for unsorted packaging bottles is around Rp700 per kilogram. However, it can reach Rp3,000 once sorted. That is only for the bottle. The caps can be sold separately, and the same goes for the branded plastic," Melly said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The sorted waste is then handed over to PT Semen Padang and the central waste bank, Panca Daya, which partners with PT Pegadaian. These two entities pay for the waste in gold savings and pure gold.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Melly explained that PPS Bungus facilitates the process by providing the waste bank, recording the sales, and arranging transportation. The waste sales are directly handled by PT Pegadaian and PT Semen Padang, with the proceeds going to the accounts of Sajameh users.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">She claimed that the Sajameh program manages to reduce 18 tons of waste from households and port activities weekly.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Implementing the Sajameh program is also an effort by PPS Bungus to assist Padang Regional Government in solving its waste issue. According to the city’s Environmental Agency, the residents of Padang produce over 600 tons of waste daily, the most in West Sumatra.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The local government estimated that the landfill will be overloaded by 2026. "Padang Mayor has issued a warning that the landfill will be full in 2026. It is only a matter of time. If we do not sort the waste, it will definitely happen," she emphasized.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">After running for a few months, the Sajameh program has proven successful. The port’s sanitation workers, who are part of Sajameh’s team, have obtained over 20 mini-sized gold coins. In addition, the team utilizes organic waste for maggot farming in the waste bank area.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Jasni and her colleagues of sanitation workers at PPS Bungus were excited after discovering that the waste they collected turned into gold pieces.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The woman who has worked at the port for decades is now more environmentally conscious about waste. Her dream is to perform the pilgrimage to the Islamic Holy Land from her works in collecting waste.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"After Sajameh was introduced, if there is an event or some waste, I sort them and put them in a bag to collect more. I can save the waste while working at the port. I hope to perform an Umrah pilgrimage one day,” she said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Throughout July to September 2023, the BCL program collected approximately 140 tons of waste from 18 regencies and cities in Indonesia. (TR/Elvira Inda Sari/SW/WW).</span></p><p style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 15px;">***</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>About AIS Forum:</b><br></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">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.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">For more information, please contact:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Get more information on press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the </span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">AIS Forum at </span><a href="https://s.id/aispedia.">https://s.id/aispedia.</a><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Foto caption: A worker cuts a commemorative plaque made from plastic waste at one of the Waste Banks. ANTARA FOTO/Sulthony Hasanuddin/Spt.</i></span></p>

Indonesia Presents Good Model of Marine Debris Management at the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum

Bali, 12 October 2023 – The blue economy program of Bulan Cinta Laut (Ocean Love Month) (BCL) is one of the strategies presented by Indonesia at the 2023 High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Bali on October 9 – 11, to serve as a good model in addressing...

<p><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"><b>Badung, 12 October 2023</b></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"> – The 2023 High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum agreed on several key points. The participating countries agree to enhance collaboration to address common challenges, including mitigation and adaptation of climate change and disaster management, the development of blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance.</span><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">During the meeting, Indonesia successfully promoted sustainability as a key strategic component in the tourism sector, which is a part of the blue economy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">This was stated by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno after participating in the 1st HLM on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre (BNDCC).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"Almost 50% of the 51 archipelagic and island states participating in the 2023 HLM identified tourism as a sector with a significant economic contribution. Therefore, the concept of sustainable tourism becomes highly strategic," said Sandiaga.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Sandiaga revealed that all archipelagic and island states face common challenges, and strong collaboration is necessary to address them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Indonesia also shared best practices that have been implemented, including the application of carbon footprint calculations, where tourists can measure the amount of carbon emissions generated by their travel activities.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">The carbon footprint calculations are then converted into monetary value and channeled to support positive programs, such as tree planting, renewable energy, and ecotourism development.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">In collaboration with local governments, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has designated locations for the implementation of this program, including Plataran Menjangan in West Bali National Park, Mangrove Tembudan Berseri in Berau, Tiga Warna Beach in Clungup Mangrove Conservation-Malang, Peramun Hill in Belitung, and Klawalu Mangrove Park in Sorong.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"Indonesia is taking the lead with the carbon calculator that we have implemented, along with our </span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">mangrove planting efforts, making them a showcase," said Sandiaga.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Sandiaga also mentioned that the concept of Carbon Footprint is implied in the Leaders’ Declaration of the Solidarity of Archipelagic and Island States. This declaration expresses the commitment of archipelagic and island states to strengthen their collaboration in addressing common challenges based on the principles of solidarity, equality, and inclusivity.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"All participating countries have agreed to promote collaboration and innovation to address real issues we are currently facing, such as marine plastic debris as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation," said Sandiaga.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">President Joko Widodo had previously stated that the 32 heads of state and representatives participating at the 1st HLM agreed to uphold three principles outlined in the declaration as the foundation for enhancing cooperation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Indonesia’s full support for this declaration is a manifestation of its commitment to further existing cooperation among archipelagic and island states worldwide, enabling them to face global challenges through collaborations.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">These challenges include rising sea levels, ocean pollution from marine debris, and the increasing impact of waste, which jeopardize the sustainability of the oceans as well as national sovereignty and territorial integrity.</span></p><p style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 15px;">***</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>About AIS Forum:</b><br></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">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.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">For more information, please contact:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Get more information on press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the </span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">AIS Forum at </span><a href="https://s.id/aispedia." style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-size: var(--bs-body-font-size); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">https://s.id/aispedia.</a><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Foto caption: Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno delivers a statement during a press briefing at the 1st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre (BNDCC) on Wednesday, 11 October 2023. He stated that Indonesia promoted the concept of sustainability as a key strategic component to achieving common goals, which include climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. (Amiri Yandhi/InfoPublik)</i></span></p>

Indonesia Invites AIS Forum Participating Countries to Strengthen Sustainable Tourism

Badung, 12 October 2023 – The 2023 High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum agreed on several key points. The participating countries agree to enhance collaboration to address common challenges, including mitigation and adaptation of climate change and disaster...

AIS Forum Collaborates with Academicians to Develop Sustainable Fisheries System

Badung, 12 October 2023 – The 2023 HLM of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum, in partnership with James Cook University (JCU) Singapore and Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat) Manado, developed a technology that would benefit small-scale fishers and sustainable fish supply management....

<p><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"><b>Bali, 11 October 2023</b></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"> – 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.</span><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) delivered the statement during a press conference at the media center for the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali Province, Wednesday, 11 October 2023.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">"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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">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,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">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).</span></p><p style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 15px;">***</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>About AIS Forum:</b><br></span><span style="font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">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.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">For more information, please contact:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;">Get more press releases, news, photos, and videos related to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum at </span><a href="https://s.id/aispedia.">https://s.id/aispedia.</a><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Foto caption: President Joko Widodo delivers a statement to journalists regarding the outcomes of the 2023 High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum at the media center for the 1st HLM of the AIS Forum at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, Wednesday, 11 October 2023. Infopublik/Amiriyandi.</i></span></p>

2023 HLM of AIS Forum Agrees to Enhance Inclusive, Equal, and Solid Cooperation

Bali, 11 October 2023 – 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...