Indonesia is once more hosting a prestigious international conference. From today to tomorrow, Indonesia is hosting the fifth ministerial meeting of the Forum of Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) in Nusa Dua Bali.
Several heads of state will attend the AIS Forum summit in Bali. The five leaders who will likely be present in person are 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.
Fiji and Tonga will likely be represented by their respective deputy prime ministers. Eight countries will likely be represented by their ministers, namely the Maldives, Marshall Islands, Palau, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.
Meanwhile, three countries will likely be represented by officials at the extent of deputy minister, director-general or secretary-general, namely Cabo Verde, New Zealand and Madagascar. Eleven countries will likely be represented by their ambassadors, including Ireland, Japan, Cyprus, Samoa, Malta, United Kingdom, Saint Lucia, Cook Island, Philippines, Suriname and Bahrain.
In addition, 4 international organizations will send representatives: the Melanesian States Cooperation Group (MSG), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The theme of the AIS 2023 Forum is “Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation for Our Ocean and Our Future.” The meeting will deal with three important areas: developing the blue economy, meeting the challenges of climate change and strengthening solidarity between nations and island states.
The two-day conference will deal with implementing initiatives that can have an actual impact on the islands and communities of island nations.
Jodi Mahardi, Deputy Coordinator for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy on the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, explained that the Forum is not going to only deal with speeches, but may also deal with field initiatives based on the contribution of local communities to enhance the situation of island and archipelagic states within the AIS.
Therefore, the AIS Forum Secretariat continues to work with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to develop various program initiatives that might be implemented in AIS countries.
By specializing in specific initiatives and programs, the AIS Forum strives to proceed to grow and make a really positive impact on all communities in island nations.
