VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan invited the island and archipelago nations that are members of the Archipelagic and Island State (AIS) Forum to unite in facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic that is felt by the whole world has changed various social structures. All island and island countries must uphold solidarity to solve this problem together," he said while chairing the 3rd Ministerial Meeting which held the theme of Fostering Solidarity Between Archipelagic and Island States: Towards a Sustainable Ocean Future, Wednesday (26/11).

Through a written statement in Jakarta, Thursday, the meeting which was held virtually was attended by five ministers from participating countries, 24 representatives of participating countries, and six international organizations.

In addition to maintaining the momentum of joint collaboration between countries, organizing this meeting has the main objective of preparing the First Conference of Heads of State.

The meeting of ministers this time is trying to explore various potentials from the maritime sector. It is hoped that various innovations will be born and can be developed to maximize the blue economy strategy for the recovery of the world community's economy.

"A pandemic cannot break our enthusiasm to continue to collaborate and solve the various challenges that exist, the people of island and archipelago countries are formidable people. Flowing in our blood the spirit of innovation, adaptation, usability, and results-oriented," added Luhut.

Luhut added that the AIS Forum Secretariat has created a key framework that focuses on results. Developing financial mechanisms, operational policies for blue economy, and creating innovative hubs to accommodate young entrepreneurs into a series of joint ventures between island and archipelago nations.

The Secretariat of the AIS Forum has also supported the capacities and capacities of youth in island and island communities through joint research and scholarship programs, to create real change.

Luhut emphasized that 2021 will be a crucial year for all participating countries to strengthen collaboration and welcome the first Head of State Conference. Also attending the occasion, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio, as head of the assembly, and Norimasa Shimomura, permanent representative of UNDP in Indonesia as vice chairman of the session.

There are four main keys that are discussed further in this meeting, the first is regarding the correlation between economic development and global environmental protection, in order to protect the maritime world and marine ecosystems. Second, regarding the blue economic cooperation strategy that is able to identify, open up, and develop various maritime potentials. Third, digital blue economy connectivity, where digital capacity must be built, increasing access and developing infrastructure together. And the fourth is regarding sustainable marine investment to develop mechanisms and various instruments to maintain the sustainability of the world economy.

"These four key themes are correlated with each other, in order to maintain and achieve the sustainability of the world maritime sector and together we face the pandemic crisis that has hit," added Menparekraf Wishnutama Kusubandio.

Norimasa Shimomura added that maritime potential is also one of the keys for the world to continue to innovate and get out of the current saturation.

"The sea has various potentials that support human life, this potential can provide an opportunity for the world to quickly recover from a pandemic, by integrating the practice of developing the principles of sustainable living, in order to balance human life as a whole," said Norimasa.

Having a format that is not much different from the fifth meeting of the High Officials level which was held on November 10, 2020, all representatives of participating countries have time to provide input regarding the four main challenges and also reports on preparations for the continuation of the upcoming first conference of heads of state.

This meeting hopes that all innovation, collaboration, and high enthusiasm from all island and archipelagic countries can be maximally maintained. It is hoped that the various obstacles that are currently hitting the world can be seen from a hopeful side. (Antaranews)