TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
From Bali to a blue world: The AIS forum and the future of our ocean
The upcoming AIS Forum 2023 in Nusa Dua, Bali, will look to driving its Blue Agenda forward toward a sustainable future for generations to come, for both archipelagic and island nations as well as the world.
Change Size
A fisher hauls his catch onto his boat on July 30, 2023 in the Indian Ocean, near Lhok Paroy district in Aceh Besar regency, Aceh. (Antara/Irwansyah Putra)
I
n a landmark moment set to capture the world's attention, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will inaugurate the High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum on Oct. 11, in the charming setting of Bali.
This gathering of nations is no ordinary event. It brings together the leaders of over 25 AIS member states, each committed to fostering collaboration, innovation and sustainable solutions for our planet's most precious resource: the ocean.
Our world faces unprecedented challenges on multiple fronts – poverty, climate change, food security, wars and conflicts – all interlinked, all demanding urgent solutions. Among these challenges, the health of our oceans, which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface, plays a pivotal role.
The ocean is not just a vast expanse of water: It is a lifeline for humanity, and its well-being is intrinsically linked to our own.
The Blue Agenda, is a radiant light of optimism poised to confront these intricate global challenges while nurturing the vitality of our oceans. At its core, the Blue Agenda encompasses a spectrum of aspirations and initiatives meticulously crafted to shield marine biodiversity, combat overfishing, curtail pollution and address the impacts of climate change on our oceans. It stands as our path to a sustainable future, and the forthcoming High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum 2023 assumes a central role in propelling this transformative agenda forward.
One of the cornerstones of the Blue Agenda is the concept of the blue economy. This approach not only acknowledges the vast potential of our oceans in driving economic prosperity, but also underscores the imperative of ensuring its sustainability. The blue economy's contribution to the global economy is projected to double from US$1.5 trillion in 2010 to a staggering $3 trillion by 2030. This sector already supports approximately 43 million jobs worldwide related to fishing, aquaculture, tourism and research.
As the host of this year’s AIS Forum, Indonesia stands as an exemplary case of the blue economy's potential. Indonesia's vast maritime territories offer a multitude of economic opportunities across diverse sectors, ranging from the utilization of marine resources to the expansion of industries, tourism, transportation and logistics.
