In a media gathering event held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Odo Manuhutu, tourism and creative economy deputy at the Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Ministry, emphasized that the AIS Forum did not seek to rival these established entities but rather strived to complement their efforts over the long term.

The AIS Forum's goals are concrete, focusing on non-political issues, and it is designed to foster cooperation among archipelagic and island states.

Odo Manuhutu noted that the impact of the AIS Forum may not be immediately apparent but would manifest in the next 10 to 15 years, as it lays the foundation for sustainable collaboration.

The forum aims to demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to contributing to world peace and security, similar to its role in developing ASEAN.

In addition to being a cooperative effort, the AIS Forum aspires to contribute to sustainable blue economy growth. The AIS Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue, held as part of the 2023 AIS Forum, emphasized the importance of sustainable blue economy growth in archipelagic and island states. It brought together world leaders, economic experts, investors and business actors to discuss opportunities and challenges in this sector. The goal is to enhance the capacity of these nations to develop, implement and monitor blue economy initiatives.

Island and archipelagic countries, often most affected by climate change, have untapped potential in the blue economy. However, limited private investment, funding and a lack of enabling environments have hindered progress. The AIS Forum seeks to address these issues and promote equitable access to sustainable blue economy growth.

The AIS Forum focuses on four key areas of cooperation: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy and ecotourism, marine plastic debris management and sustainable marine governance. These pillars form the foundation for smart and innovative solutions developed in collaboration with international partners.

One such innovation is the Seagrass Carbon Converter (SCC) web-based application, developed in collaboration with the Oceanography Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The SCC calculates carbon reserves and absorption in seagrass beds, which are vital carbon sinks in coastal areas of AIS Forum participating countries.

Another mobile app, the Carbon Inventory for Seagrass Ecosystem (CISE), helps stakeholders report blue carbon balance potential in seagrass ecosystems. These tools empower countries to understand the environmental contributions of seagrass meadows better.

The Mangrove Health Index (MHI) application measures the health of mangrove ecosystems, which play a crucial role in stabilizing coastal shorelines and mitigating rising sea levels.

Additionally, the AIS Forum collaborates with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) on Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue Planning. This program equips participants with technical knowledge and skills to plan and execute search and rescue operations during accidents, disasters and life-threatening situations.

In conclusion, the AIS Forum is fostering sustainable growth, innovation and collaboration among the archipelagic and island states. Its concrete goals complement the established international organizations, and its focus on the blue economy and innovative solutions holds promise for the future. The first High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum in Bali signifies a significant step toward achieving these objectives, with leaders and delegates from numerous nations joining hands to shape a sustainable and inclusive future.