AIS Forum Strengthens Solidarity in Facing Climate Change

Faced with common problems, the 32 member countries of the Island and Island Countries Forum (AIS) are strengthening solidarity and cooperation to overcome the impacts of climate change.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Forum AIS Perkuat Solidaritas Hadapi Perubahan Iklim

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

Indonesia is hosting the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) High-Level Conference in 2023, which was opened by President Joko Widodo on Wednesday (11/10/2023). President Joko Widodo, along with the delegation leaders of the AIS Forum, posed for a photo before the opening ceremony of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua, Badung, on Wednesday (11/10/2023).

BADUNG, KOMPAS — A total of 32 countries signed the declaration of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday (11/10/2023). The declaration includes a commitment to increase solidarity and cooperation in addressing the threats of climate change, including rising sea levels.

They agreed to collaborate within the framework of the AIS Forum in accordance with the principles of equality, solidarity, peaceful resolution, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The ocean is a source of life. And, for Indonesia, the ocean is not a divider, but a binder and connector. Through the AIS Forum, Indonesia invites collaboration and cooperation amidst a fractured world," said President Joko Widodo during a media meeting after the AIS Forum meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali.

The President stated that the threats faced by island and archipelagic countries are very real. "Rising sea levels, ocean pollution from waste and debris, not only threaten the sustainability of life on land and sea, but also the sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

The AIS Forum was established on November 1, 2018 through the adoption of the Joint Declaration of Manado at a ministerial-level meeting. The establishment of the forum began with discussions at the Ocean Conference in New York in 2017, followed by the AIS Forum Conference in Jakarta in the same year. Currently, the AIS Forum consists of 51 island and island countries, including Japan and England.

During the two-day meeting in Bali, representatives of states and governments present were aware that their regions are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Amid the competition of superpowers, which diminish and even marginalize the interests of archipelago and island states, this group of countries agreed to establish cooperation and collaboration and promote justice for the inhabitants of those areas.

The AIS Forum Meeting on Wednesday agreed to a Declaration of Solidarity among AIS member countries. In addition to strengthening solidarity, the member countries of AIS also want to ensure that economic development continues despite the challenges that are not easy. "Island and coastal countries, regardless of location, size, and level of development, face the same environmental and development challenges, but at different levels, which must be solved through joint efforts and real collaboration," the declaration states, among other things.

Also read: Facing Climate Change, Island Countries Collaborate

Four areas of cooperation

Therefore, member countries of the AIS Forum are encouraging cooperation in four areas, namely mitigation-adaptation and climate change management; collaboration in the management and development of the blue economy concept as a sustainable maritime economy; protection of marine biodiversity and good maritime governance.

The threat of rising sea levels and warming sea temperatures was also conveyed by Fiji. Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Manoa Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica, met by Kompas on the sidelines of a bilateral meeting, revealed that due to rising sea levels, as many as 46 villages or communities in Fiji are threatened with relocation. ”Climate change is very real. This threatens our survival," he said.

In addition, Fiji has also been a victim of Tropical Cyclone Winston, which had a category 5 intensity in 2016. Fiji is now facing climate change that has a broad impact on the lives of its citizens.

KOMPAS/MAHDI MUHAMMAD

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi (right) had a discussion with Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Manoa Seru Nakusabaria Kamikamica (left) on the sidelines of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of Small Island Developing States (AIS Forum) in Nusa Dua, Bali on Tuesday (10/10/2023).

Also read: Earth Boiling, Disaster Everywhere

Quoted from the Pacific Community page, initial identification of many villages or communities in Fiji, more than 600 villages or communities of which were identified as locations prone to disaster impacts due to climate change, including rising sea levels sea ​​water. Of this number, currently, 46 villages or communities are considered the most vulnerable. A total of six villages or communities were relocated first.

Kamikamica also confirmed the United Nations' data which stated that 75 percent of the total population of Fiji, which is around 924,000 people, are at risk due to the changing situation of the earth. "We are an island nation. Most of our citizens live on the coast. It is very easy for the people of Fiji to be affected by the rise in sea level," he said.

Copernicus, the Earth Observation Program by the European Space Agency, released a statement last week stating that 2023 is the hottest year ever recorded. It was stated that the global temperature from January to September was higher by 1.4 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial average temperature (the period from 1850-1900).

The temperature has increased by 0.2 degrees Celsius this year compared to last year. The previous record was set in 2016 and 2020, when the average temperature was 1.25 degrees Celsius higher. The increase in Earth's temperature has resulted in a rise in sea levels.

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

Indonesia will be hosting the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) High-Level Conference in 2023, which will take place in Nusa Dua, Badung. The conference was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on Wednesday (11/10/2023).

Also read: ASEAN-Pacific- IORA Establishes Regional Cooperation

Referring to the US Government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) page, in 1900-1990, global sea level rise was between 4 inches and 5 inches or around 10-12 centimeters. Starting from 1990-2015, sea level rise was 3 inches or 7.62 cm. By 2100, sea levels are expected to rise one foot to eight feet or around 30.48-240 cm.

According to NOAAs Administrator Rick Spinrad, sea level rise will still occur even if carbon emissions are drastically reduced.

"The world moves too slowly. As a small island nation, we ask for global powers to do what is right for our earth because this earth is also for future generations," said Kamikamica.

President Joko Widodo has promised to elevate the voices of island nations to a higher level. He emphasized the need for concrete cooperation between island countries and islands to grow and develop. "As a maritime country, Indonesia is at the forefront of supporting island nations and islands," the president promised.

Also read: Young People, Sue for the Future of the Earth

Blue Economy

In a press conference, the President also mentioned the blue economy concept advocated by Indonesia to be implemented in island and archipelagic countries. The President believes that the potential of the blue economy is immense and has not been optimally exploited.

"The potential for the blue economy is very large. This potential needs to be explored and utilized in order to become a pillar of growth and welfare for the people. The sea is a source of life, sustainability, and justice," said the President.

ZEISING DKK. 2023.

The shrinking scheme of the Nioghalvfjerdsbrae glacier in Greenland since 1998 based on ground and aerial radar measurements. Credit: Zeising et al. 2023.

Also read: ”Blue Economy Syndrome”

As explained by the UN, World Bank and European Commission, the blue economy is basically the sustainable use of resources in the seas and oceans for economic growth, improving the quality of life while preserving ecosystems and habitats. what's underneath.

The Chancellor of the Bogor Agricultural Institute, Arif Satria, previously said that the economic potential of the vast seas and oceans will be combined with the principles of sustainable and environmentally friendly development. He gave the example of portable FADs, which are already known to marine fish farming fishermen, which are now starting to be introduced to fishermen in Madagascar. "It's easy, cheap and can be taken anywhere," he said.

During the ASEAN Summit, the President held several bilateral meetings with participating leaders. Among them, he met with the Prime Minister of Niue, Dalton Emani Makamau Tagelagi, the PM of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, and the President of Micronesia Federation, Wesley Simina.

Also read: Strengthening Cooperation Colors Jokowi's Bilateral Meeting on the Sidelines of the AIS Summit

In a meeting with PM Natano, President Jokowi urged the strengthening of cooperation as one Pacific family. "Strengthening cooperation is important as one Pacific family in facing common challenges," said the President.