"The first HLM will strengthen the platform for archipelagic and island countries to work together in addressing common problems, such as rising sea levels and climate change. Concertive efforts to do so will become more coordinated, structured, and sharp, so they are no longer sporadic," said Alexander Muhammad Khan, Padjadjaran University researcher and Indonesia's representative at the 2023 AIS RnD Conference. He was speaking in the Forum Merdeka Barat (FMB9) Discussion: Road to the 2023 HLM of the AIS Forum as part of a talk titled Concrete Steps to Manage the Ocean held online in Jakarta, on Oct. 4.

Alex explained how different strategies were needed to deal with problems on land and those at sea. This was because regional boundaries on land are visible, unlike at sea. Therefore, he said, ocean-based challenges such as fisheries and marine problems cannot be solved alone.

"Therefore, communication forums, such as the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) and now the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum, can be a platform to frame these problems as common problems that can be discussed and be managed together," he said.

Alex assessed that Indonesia had taken the right steps in urging other countries to solve their common problems together. "Indonesia is on the right track by becoming one of the initiators of the CTI-CFF in 2009 and the AIS Forum in 2018. This shows Indonesia's vision and leadership at the global level, especially in marine issues," he said.

In Indonesia, those most affected by climate change are people who live on small islands, such as in North Maluku, Maluku or Papua. Some of the problems they face are rising sea levels, plastic waste and the declining fish-catch.

For this reason, Indonesia is trying to work together hand in hand with countries that have the same interests and vision to preserve the ocean and marine environment, so that it becomes collective global action.

"So, it is not a one-man show, not just one country, but it is a common issue, jointly faced by Indonesia and the archipelagic and island countries at the AIS Forum," said Alexander.

For him, the Indonesian government already had policies that are in line with the challenges faced by coastal and island communities.

This policy is considered a manifestation of management maturity in the fisheries and marine sector, which has been in place for 24 years since 1999, since the establishment of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

"For example, with a decrease in the number of fishing catches, the government issued regulations that limit the fishing gear that can be used, limit fishing locations and regulate fishing times," said Alex.

Meanwhile, AIS Youth Conference 2023 representative Engel Laisina emphasized the importance of inclusiveness, referring to rural and coastal communities.

"This is important because rural and coastal communities are the ones most affected by climate change. Well, I see that so far efforts to prevent or overcome climate change have only been discussed in an urban setting, while those most affected are in the villages," Engel said.

Therefore, at the 2023 High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum, he hoped that all representatives would be able to share knowledge and experience in facing and overcoming the increasingly worrying climate change issues. (Revelation S/US/TR/Elvira)

This article is publish in collaboration with The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy

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