BALI, INDONESIA, Oct 12, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Indonesia, as host of the 1st High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic & Island States (AIS) Forum, has called for the collaboration of AIS Forum participating countries to respond to various global challenges.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), while opening the high-level meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday, highlighted that all archipelagic and island countries, whether large or small, developed or developing, are facing challenges, such as rising sea levels, marine resource management, and marine pollution.

“If we throw rubbish on land, it does not necessarily mean that the rubbish will move to land in another part of the world. However, if we throw rubbish into the ocean, the rubbish can reach any land in the world,” he said.

The president deemed collaboration and solidarity between archipelagic and island countries crucial to creating strategic, concrete, and tactical measures for tackling shared problems. The high-level meeting is deemed an important opportunity to set the direction of collaboration going forward.

In this regard, he encouraged three aspects to be advanced: solidarity, equality, and inclusivity as principles that must be held together; priority on concrete cooperation that is adjusted to the needs of beneficiary countries; and third, robust and dynamic cooperation framework to respond to challenges going forward.

“Indonesia would like to invite all countries that are present; let us continue to choose to continue to build unity and continue to build collaboration even amid a divided world condition. Let us walk and work together,” Jokowi stated.

On that occasion, President Jokowi noted that Indonesia has also continued to echo the interests of archipelagic and developing countries at various international forums, such as in the 2022 G20 Summit, the 2023 ASEAN Summit, and the 2023 AIS Forum high-level meeting. “Indonesia is also committed to preparing grant funds to be used for the interests of archipelagic countries and developing countries,” he said.

At a press conference held after the meeting, President Jokowi highlighted that developing and archipelagic countries have the same right to advance and carry out development. He also affirmed that Indonesia, as a maritime nation, would continue to be at the forefront of supporting the AIS Forum as an inclusive cooperation of archipelagic and island countri For Indonesia, the sea is not a divider; but instead, the sea is a uniter,” he remarked.

Indonesia is hosting the 1st High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum, which is attended by 32 countries out of 51 AIS countries and four international organizations. The high-level meeting raises the themes of the Blue Economy; Our Ocean, Our Future; and Solidarity.

At the head-of-state level, Indonesia noted the participation of President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley Simina, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao, the Premier of Niue Dalton Tagelagi, Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe Patrice Emery Trovoada, and Prime Minister of Tuvalu Kausea Natano. Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Manoa Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica and Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga Samiu Kuita Vaipulu were also in attendance at the meeting.

Meanwhile, delegations of other countries are led by ministers, deputy ministers, high-ranking officials, and ambassadors during the high-level meetings.

Source: Antara News Agency, https://www.aisforum.org/

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Makassar, Indonesia, Oct 10, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Protection and fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities in ASEAN are carried out comprehensively, including education, health, employment opportunities, and social protection. This comprehensive treatment is needed so that persons with disabilities can be independent and, at the same time, increase their dignity. 

This is one of the main issues that emerged in the ASEAN High-Level Forum on Disability Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025. This international event, taking place in Makassar from 10-12 October 2023, is attended by 13 representatives of countries from ASEAN, observers, and representatives of other countries. 

The participants in this forum consist of Ministers and ASEAN Senior Officials who are responsible for social welfare and development in related sectoral bodies, ASEAN affiliated entities and partners. AHLF 2023 is one of a series of ASEAN Summits under the chairmanship of Indonesia. 

A number of speakers appeared on the first day of AHLF who focused on identifying challenges in ASEAN to strengthen disability inclusive development. Various issues and lessons learned from the impact of the pandemic on the lives of persons with disabilities are also discussed. 

In her opening remarks, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said that disability is not only an issue in ASEAN, but also a global issue because the number of persons with disabilities is quite large. In ASEAN, there are around 62 million persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, there are around 22.9 million. For this reason, AHLF invited participants from the United States, England and Australia to see how ASEAN countries have tried to handle disabilities well while discussing and exchanging experiences.

“We hope that through this AHLF, the handling of disabilities in ASEAN can be even better in the future,” said the Social Affairs Minister in front of the media after the opening session in Makassar on Tuesday (10/10). 

Present at the meeting, Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, Ashabul Kahfi said that his party appreciated the steps of the Ministry of Social Affairs in organizing AHLF. In Law Number 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities, the government is encouraged to collaborate with many parties to provide better services for persons with disabilities. 

This service is very important so that persons with disabilities can be independent and at the same time raise the value and dignity of persons with disabilities. “The Ministry of Social Affairs, so far, has paid close attention to the rights of persons with disabilities. “Of the budget of around IDR 80 trillion, part of it is used to empower persons with disabilities,” she said. 

Fulfilling disability rights is an effort to realize Indonesia’s human development design where no one is left behind, including those with disabilities. The Deputy conveyed this statement to the Coordination of Social Welfare Improvement, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Prof. Nunung Nuryartono. 

According to him, the Ministry of Social Affairs has designed many programs so that persons with disabilities can get out of extreme poverty. “The President has declared that there will be no more extreme poverty in 2024. “That is our common target,” said Nunung. 

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Persons with Disabilities, Norman Yulian, on the same occasion, appreciated the seriousness of the government, especially the Ministry of Social Affairs, in realizing an inclusive and disability-friendly Indonesia. 

The government has also tried in various ways to create an inclusive Indonesia, including for persons with disabilities, both in the education and employment sectors. “We hope that through AHLF we can design a master plan for handling disabilities for the ASEAN region,” said Norman. 

Regarding the event in Makassar, the Minister of Social Affairs said that the presence of participants from various countries was also used to promote Indonesia’s unique and very diverse tourism. 

Tourism destinations in South Sulawesi are unique because they relate to human civilization. “This tourism potential is rare and extraordinary, so it should be promoted worldwide,” said Minister Risma. 

It is not easy to optimize tourism destinations for persons with disabilities because the government must prepare the infrastructure. However, this can be done by Indonesia. The tourism destinations that the AHLF delegation will visit are very friendly to persons with disabilities. 

“From design to construction, everything is done by persons with disabilities so that it suits their needs. “This step is also to show that they are actually capable if given the opportunity,” Minister Risma said.

Social Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia

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BALI, Oct 9, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Archipelagic & Island States (AIS) Forum, being held October 9-11 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Bali, has expressed its strong commitment to preserving the marine ecosystems in the effort to mitigate the impact of climate change that threaten its participating countries.

The 1st High Level Meeting (HLM) of the AIS Forum 2023 is taking place at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center and draws participation from 29 countries and four international organizations. Heads of state/government of several countries are participating, including Micronesia, Niue, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu.

The HLM will have four themes: adaptation and mitigation against climate change, promoting a sustainable blue economy, handling plastic waste in the oceans, and strengthening sustainable maritime governance. The Effects of climate change, including rising global temperatures with rising sea levels, have been threatening the very existence of small low-altitude island states, particularly those in the Pacific Ocean.

“Climate change is real. Climate change is a common enemy for island countries,” Alexander Muhammad Khan, Indonesian representative to the AIS Research and Development (RnD) Conference. The AIS RnD Conference serves as one of four side events to the 1st High Level Meeting (HLM) of the AIS Forum.

In the RnD Conference, the AIS Forum seeks to bring together oceanographers, marine biologists, scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and visionaries across the globe to present their breakthroughs and jointly find solutions to preserve oceans, a complex ecosystem regulating the planet’s climate.

The Conference delves into a number of themes, including the ‘Blue Economy’, which the World Bank has described as an eco-friendly utilization of marine resources that aims to stimulate economic growth and improve welfare while preserving oceans, which constitute the planet’s important carbon sink that can help mitigate climate change impacts.

Since its formation in 2018, the AIS Forum has made efforts to realize the Blue Economy, including the Blue Financing Strategic Framework, which will be highlighted in the discussion on the blue economy during the HLM. The framework document constitutes a tool that can guide businesses to invest in blue economic activities taking into account the social, economic, and environmental impacts

AIS Forum further highlights the importance of the Blue Economy by holding the AIS Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue on October 9, another side event for the 2023 HLM. This Dialogue is aimed at the world’s political leaders, experts, and major business actors, to find solutions to ensure that all archipelagic and island states, including the least-developed ones, have the same opportunity to tap into the vast potential of the blue economy.

Another side event is the AIS Startup Blue Business Summit. Head of the AIS Forum Secretariat Riny Modaso says the event serves as a medium for Blue Economy entrepreneurs, or bluepreneurs, to connect with marine stakeholders, innovators, researchers, and potential investors. “By investing in innovative solutions, AIS participating states can protect their vulnerable ecosystems, suppress the effects of climate change, and create a sustainable future for their communities,” she said on Sunday (October 8).

The AIS Forum also considers youths’ ideas and aspirations in the efforts to protect the oceans. The AIS Youth Conference was held from October 6-8, drawing participation from 26 young delegates from 26 AIS Forum participating states. Deputy for Maritime and Energy Sovereignty Coordination at the Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Ministry, Jodi Mahardi emphasized that young people’s ideas could help archipelagic and island states deal with challenges.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the 1st HLM, which carries the theme of “Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation for Our Ocean and Our Future.” Other state delegations are being led by deputy prime ministers, ministers, deputy ministers, and ambassadors.

Indonesia is hosting the 1st HLM, as an initiator of the AIS Forum which was formed on the basis of the Manado Declaration on November 1, 2018, during an AIS Ministerial Meeting.

Source: Antara News Agency, https://www.aisforum.org/

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JAKARTA, Sep 9, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Through the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) held in Jakarta on 5-6 September 2023 as the flagship event of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, Indonesia showcased 93 cooperation projects worth US$38.2 billion and 73 potential projects worth US$17.8 billion, to encourage cooperation among ASEAN member countries and its partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

With a contribution of 64 percent to global economic growth, the Indo-Pacific is considered a strategic region where cooperation should be promoted instead of geopolitical rivalries and conflict, according to Vice Foreign Minister Pahala Nugraha Mansury.

"AIPF is expected to present the habit of cooperating and building together among ASEAN countries in the Indo-Pacific," Pahala said during a press briefing after the forum's opening in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The discussions and business-matching agenda during the two-day forum focus4d on three primary areas of cooperation, including green infrastructure and resilient supply chains, innovative sustainable financing, digital transformation and creative economy.

Those sectors, he said, are expected to be new sources of growth in the ASEAN – which is estimated to grow by 4.5 percent this year and the next, according to IMF.

As part of Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship, the AIPF has been held as a platform for promoting constructive dialogue, and concrete collaboration between SOEs and the private sector. "ASEAN is the future and epicentrum of growth. It plays a significant role in the Indo-Pacific region," SOEs Deputy Minister Rosan Roeslani stated.

From the Indonesian side, the country offers some cooperation in the development of an alumunium shelter worth USD1.8 billion, the development of Benoa Port in Bali worth USD4.3 billion, as well as a project of a fertilizer factory, toll road, and special economic zone in Sanur, Bali.

During the AIPF, Indonesia also promotes cooperation in green infrastructure and sustainable financing in developing the New Capital Nusantara mega-project in East Kalimantan.

AIPF was inspired by the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) initiated by Indonesia and adopted by ASEAN member countries in 2019. It aims to strengthen an inclusive regional architecture, encourage collaboration, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and take the existing opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region.

AIPF is also aligned with the theme of this year's ASEAN Summit: making ASEAN the epicenter of growth while maintaining peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The ASEAN region is considered to have sufficient capital to become the center of the world's economic growth, with a collective gross domestic product (GDP) of US$ 3.3 trillion in 2021.

For more information, please contact:
Usman Kansong, Tel. +62-816785320
Director General of Information and Public Communication
Ministry of Communication and Information, Indonesia

Please visit:
http://asean2023.id,
https://infopublik.id/kategori/asean-2023,
https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/ragam-asean-2023

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JAKARTA, Sep 9, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Indonesia identified cooperation projects worth US$32 billion through business matching activities carried out during the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF), held on September 5-6. As the organizer of the AIPF, which is the flagship event of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, Indonesia is also seeking cooperation for projects from other countries with a total value of US$810 million.

"Although those (cooperation projects) had not been able to be finalized at today's meeting, we hope the business matching will be able to boost cooperation and real understanding of the investment needs expected by each country," Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Pahala Mansury said in a press conference about the AIPF in Jakarta on Wednesday (6 September 2023).

The business matching activities involved around 185 domestic and international investors, including PT Bank Mandiri Tbk, Bank Permata, Bank SBI Indonesia, Bank CCB Indonesia, PT Bank Jawa Barat, PT Astra Infrastruktur, PT Amman Mineral Tbk, Dian Swastatika Sentosa, AIIB, Standard Chartered, Sumitomo (SMBC), Commerzbank, ACWA (Saudi Arabia), EDF Energy (France), KEPCO (South Korea), IGNIS (Spain), China Railway Corporation, Sinohydro, China State Construction Engineering, Siemens (Germany), Inpex Geothermal (Japan), British Columbia (Canada) and Actis (the UK).

The business sectors promoted through the AIPF included the development of new and renewable energy, hydrogen, ammonia, alumina refinery, battery supply chains, toll road infrastructure, and ports.

Indonesia put more focus on cooperation with international partners for strategic projects in the fields of energy and oil and gas (five projects), toll-road (nine projects), ports (five projects), health (six projects), fertilizer (three projects), infrastructure (ten projects), tourism (nine projects) and electric vehicle battery ecosystem and supply chains (three projects).

According to Vice Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Rosan Roeslani, the sectors that attracted many investors' interest are green energy and electric vehicle battery ecosystem.

"There were also many who wanted to participate in the digitalization sector because they could see that there is a lot of our people's potential that has not been reached by formal financing," he said. He mentioned that some of the largest SOEs in Indonesia, such as Pertamina, Pupuk Indonesia, PLN, Pelindo, Jasa Marga, MIND ID, and Injourney also participated in the AIPF.

Also participated The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), which could become a platform to support the acceleration of investment for several infrastructure projects such as Demak-Tuban, Tuban-Gresik, Tasikmalaya-Gedebage-Ciamis toll roads and the Jatiluhur Drinking Water Supply System.

ASEAN member states such as Brunei, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines presented potential projects in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors.

ASEAN state members' leaders, namely President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, the Head of Delegation of the Kingdom of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister of Lao PDR Sonexay Siphandone, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the Prime Minister of Timor Leste Xanana Gusmao were also present.

Three world leaders were also present as keynote speakers in the leaders talk session, namely Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Mansury said that those world leaders emphasized that the priority going forward for the strategic partnership with ASEAN will focus on sustainable cooperation sectors, such as the development of clean energy, innovative and sustainable financing, and the development of green infrastructure.

Mansury said that those leaders emphasized that the priority going forward for the strategic partnership with ASEAN will focus on sustainable cooperation sectors, such as the development of clean energy, innovative and sustainable financing, and the development of green infrastructure.

For more information, please contact:
Usman Kansong,
Director General of Information and Public Communication
Ministry of Communication and Information, Indonesia

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

JAKARTA, Sep 7, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The ASEAN members conducted summits with neighboring countries China, South Korea, Japan and the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) consisting of ASEAN members and three countries above. The summits emphasized the need to maintain regional stability between ASEAN and the three East Asian countries in the effort to reduce tension between countries and achieve better joint cooperation between ASEAN and its closest Asian neighbors.

– 23rd ASEAN-China Summit: Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conveyed his belief to Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang that the relations between ASEAN countries and China could generate real cooperation if they rely on mutual trust with each other.

Jokowi also drew attention to the escalating tension between China and several ASEAN members regarding the new China Standard Map that was considered to claim the South China Sea. In this matter, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines rejected China's new map.

Indonesia then took the initiative to expedite the process of negotiating the code of conduct (CoC) for the disputed waters.

– 24th ASEAN-South Korea Summit: President Jokowi appreciated South Korea for supporting the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF), which he said showed real inclusive cooperation in maintaining stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

He conveyed that ASEAN-South Korea's partnership in the future will focus on energy transition and digital transformation which required large amounts of investment and technology transfer. "Therefore, collaboration and partnerships are needed to realize our common goals," he emphasized.

– 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit: President Jokowi stated that a Strategic Comprehensive Partnership between the two parties showed mutually beneficial concrete cooperation.

The president addressed that Japan is one of ASEAN's most active partners and a proponent of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Japan could also become the main contributor to ASEAN's development, including in infrastructure development with an annual cost of US$184 billion.

Therefore, he hopes Japan continues to boost its contribution to the region through the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund and ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility to support connectivity and green infrastructure.

Jokowi assessed that both parties have a huge responsibility to keep the region peaceful, stable, and prosperous in the future.

– 26th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit: The president invited the three countries to cooperate in developing an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. However, the president noted that this goal would be disrupted if regional peace and stability were not maintained.

Responding to President Jokowi, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned if APT unites, countries in the mechanism could contribute not only to building ASEAN but also to realizing peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world.

The results of the four Summits with East Asian countries are expected to realize regional stability for the sake of ASEAN's future with its adaptive, and inclusive development for the ASEAN community according to Indonesia's vision in chairing the association this year.

After holding the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) in May 2023, Indonesia continued its ASEAN Chairmanship agenda with the 43rd Summit in Jakarta on September 5-7, 2023.

The theme for ASEAN this year is 'ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth', which means ASEAN is relevant and important as a world growth center.

COPYRIGHT (c) ANTARA 2023

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JAKARTA, Sep 6, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Amid increasingly complex global and geopolitical challenges, the unity and centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since its establishment in 1967 is still maintained and remained strong. Indonesia is holding the ASEAN chairmanship 2023, with the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth." The vision of Indonesia's chairmanship is to build a resilient, adaptive, and inclusive ASEAN.

The statement was voiced by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the opening of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 5, where he emphasized that "ASEAN unity until this day is still well maintained, amid differences in opinion between its member countries."

The summit draws participation from delegates representing 22 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Russia as *ASEAN's country partners*. The Timor-Leste leader also attend the summit as an observer.

In his opening speech of the 43rd ASEAN Summit's plenary session, Jokowi underscored that ASEAN unity does not mean that there are no differences in opinion *amongst* member countries. The head of state noted that Indonesia, as a country with diverse ethnicities, cultures, languages, and religions, sees unity as harmony despite differences, including opinions.

"Because differences in opinion, in fact, nurture democracy. It shows that we, as a family, are on an equal footing," he stated. Jokowi then pushed ASEAN to bolster further its cohesiveness, boldness, and agility to face current global challenges.

"ASEAN needs long-term tactical strategies that are relevant and in line with the expectations of communities," he said. By retaining ASEAN's position as a center of growth, Indonesia expects that the bloc will continue to be a relevant actor to the communities in Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions.

President Jokowi also described ASEAN as an "ark" responsible for the well-being of its population of hundreds of millions. Hence, he urged all ASEAN leaders to ensure that the ark can persistently navigate the oceans amid emerging "storms" or challenges.

Like President Jokowi, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has called on the unity and cooperation of the bloc in navigating any challenges, including in resolving the Myanmar issue. "ASEAN can only steam forward in full power if we can ensure a peaceful and lasting solution in Myanmar," Marsudi stated at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) on Monday, September 4.

Aside from the firm solidity of ASEAN, President Jokowi also highlighted the principle of equality that is respected in the region. According to Jokowi, equality has become a "rare thing" in the world, considering the injustices and conflicts that continue to occur due to the absence of equality.

"However, in ASEAN, things are different. Equality is, in fact, the primary value that we respect and uphold together in the framework of unity and togetherness so that the big ship of ASEAN can continue to sail," he affirmed. He also believed that a united ASEAN would be able to become a significant actor in realizing global peace and growth.

As the chair of ASEAN 2023, Indonesia seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN so the region can respond to the challenges in the next 20 years. Indonesia is also committed to preparing the ASEAN Post-2025 Vision towards ASEAN 2045 which must be adaptive, responsive, and competitive and align with the ASEAN Way and the ASEAN Charter.

Reporter: Andi Firdaus, Katrian; Editor: Tia Mutiasari; COPYRIGHT (c) ANTARA 2023

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