AIS Forum Magazine #1 - First Semester of 2023

ARCHIPELAGIC AND ISLAND STATES FORUM

MAGAZINE

The 7th Senior Official Meeting in Suva, Fiji

Strengthening the commitment of collaboration between AIS Countries

Island Hackaton and Clean Up with Lazada Indonesia & DCA

A concrete action to conserve the ecosystem for our ocean and our future

International Scholarship Program on Small Island Resources Management

Meet the selected awardees

The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a program implemented by Indonesian government that is supported by UNDP Indonesia. Initiated in 2017, the program gathers 51 archipelagic and island states around the world to address challenges & identify opportunities arising from their insularity.

Under the “Manado Joint” declaration, which agreed on a collaborative action in addressing challenges in 4 thematic areas, namely:

AIS Forum Organised the 7 th Senior Official Meeting in Fiji

7 June 2023 - The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum conducted the 7th Senior Official Meeting (SOM) in Suva, Fiji, on June 7, 2023. The event was co-hosted by the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of Indonesia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia, and the AIS Forum Secretariat. Held in the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, this is the seventh official meeting since the inception of the AIS Forum in 2018. The Forum is an international collaborative platform comprising 51 archipelagic and island nations to accelerate development and combat common challenges in the maritime sector.

This is the first time the AIS Forum has held a meeting outside of Indonesia. Jodi Mahardi, Deputy Minister for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia expressed his assurance regarding the meeting in Suva in his welcoming remarks. “We cannot think of a more appropriate venue for this meeting than Suva. Indonesia remembers that Fiji was among the first countries to support the idea of creating the AIS Forum in 2017,” said Deputy Minister Jodi. Further to that, he also emphasized the spirit of solidarity, commitment, and collaboration as core values in the AIS Forum. As a forum for development and cooperation, the AIS Forum will play an essential role in helping and overcoming problems faced by archipelagic and island countries around the world.

The 7th SOM of the AIS Forum was held in a hybrid mode and attended by delegations from AIS member countries, among them Indonesia, Madagascar, Seychelles, Tuvalu, Bahrain, Cuba, Fiji, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Solomon Island, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Sao Tome & Principe, Cyprus, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Marshall Island, and the United Kingdom, as well as several international organizations such as Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and UNDP Pacific.

The consecutive meeting was a part of preparatory activities for the first High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum planned to be conducted on October 11, 2023, in Bali, Indonesia. The series of meetings was called as part of the ongoing commitment of AIS countries to have facilitated discussion and actions to accelerate concrete collaboration in four key areas, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster management, the advancement of the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance.

5-11 June 2023 - The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum was established to foster collaboration and concrete development cooperation among archipelagic and island states around the world. In the four years since its establishment, the AIS Forum has successfully networked and built partnerships with various parties. More than 200 start-ups and local communities, 75 non-governmental organizations and private sectors, and more than 100 academic groups in various AIS countries have become part of the implementation of AIS Forum programmes to date. Several development programmes under the AIS Forum have also been successfully implemented in various participating countries, such as Fiji, the Philippines, Guyana, Barbados, New Zealand, Jamaica, Malta, Mauritius, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and others.

Some of the positive results were brought and presented at the side agenda of the 7th SOM. The activities were held in various places in Fiji and Vanuatu, from 3 May to 8 June 2023, under the collaboration with local organizations such as the Green Growth Institute, Pacific Community (SPC), Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF), and University of Fiji. Several innovations from Indonesia were also introduced, such as the Advance Drifter GPS Oceanography Coverage Area (ARHEA) training and MantaOne for Electric Fishing Boat Training from Azura Indonesia, winner of the AIS Innovation Challenge Program.

With these programs, AIS Forum continued to work together to develop best practices that may encourage innovative solutions for island and archipelagic countries in facing global challenges. As a platform for concrete collaborative works, the AIS Forum handed over the Advanced Drifter GPS Oceanography Coverage Area (ARHEA) tool to the Pacific Community (SPC), Manta One (Electric Propulsion Engine) to the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF) to be replicated for local communities in the Pacific

Particularly in Bau Island, two training programmes were held with the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF), an international organization focusing on progressing sustainable and inclusive development of Pacific island countries. The activity in Bau Island was held on 1–8 June 2023 in three different places, meanwhile the training in Banyak Singkil Island is running from 5–16 June 2023. About 30 participants attended the training as they will then continue with further development on the Floating Net Cage training. The training itself was led by Dr. Syamsul Akbar, an aquaculture expert from Indonesia.

Emphasizing its focus on blue economy, the two training programmes given were Implementing Floating Net Cage (FNC) and Showcasing Innovative Electric Engine Technology for Boats. Both of these trainings were held as an effort to empower the people of Bau Island in regard to the food security issue they have. Blue economy development in the Pacific Islands is one of PIDF’s main focuses, so this collaboration was truly the right platform to support efforts to strengthen the blue economy for the people of Bau Island.

The Floating Net Cage (FNC) training was carried out to empower the locals with innovative methods and techniques for marine and fisheries environment, to practice for sustainable aquaculture based on a traditional farming system through the technique showcased. Meanwhile, for the Innovative Electric Engine Technology for Boats, the technology called MantaOne was developed to replace the conventional four-stroke petrol engines that are known to produce higher emission. MantaOne is seen as an advanced way for providing equipment for fishing, as it requires no fossil fuel and needs minimal maintenance. This engine is fit for smaller boats, which is also sufficient for the local communities and small-scale fishing activities.

AIS Blue Innovation Solutions

26 June 2023 - Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum held an event titled Matchmaking Sustainable Solutions: Bringing Investors and Bluepreneurs Together at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Jakarta. This event is part of the AIS Blue Innovation Solution program which is held to encourage entrepreneurial growth and open opportunities for innovators in the blue sector to obtain funding from potential investors in the blue economy sector in Indonesia.

As the largest archipelagic country in the world, Indonesia’s blue economy sector has great potential, especially those related to fisheries, renewable energy, tourism, water transportation, waste management, and climate change mitigation. Based on data from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), these sectors have the potential to have a direct impact on the creation of new economic values and livelihoods, especially for coastal communities through the sustainable fishing industry, aquaculture, tourism and other renewable energy from the oceans.

Attended by officials from various ministries, state institutions, State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), investors/financial institutions, business incubators/accelerators, and various start-ups in Indonesia,

this meeting is an arena for blue innovators to meet potential investors as well as maximizing cooperation in promoting sustainable development and economic growth, more specifically related to the blue economy.

The event continued with a session of statements of cooperation commitments from several parties who have and will continue to work with the AIS Forum in the development of the blue economy sector in Indonesia and other AIS countries. In this session, three entities took turns taking the opportunity to submit statements of commitment to cooperate with the AIS Forum in accelerating the growth of the blue economy sector in Indonesia. They are Lazada Indonesia, the International Development Cooperation Fund Agency (Indonesia AID), and one startup representative, namely Azura Indonesia, to convey testimony of AIS Forum’s support for startups in the blue sector. This session was held to encourage commitment to the growth of the blue sector in Indonesia through concrete action.

The culmination of this Business Matchmaking event was a pitching session from several start-ups engaged in the blue economy, where their works and innovations were engaged in the scope of the four focus areas of the AIS Forum, namely Mitigation and Adaptation, Climate Change, Blue Economy, Marine Plastic Waste Management, and Good Maritime Governance. A total of ten (10) innovators attended and presented their innovations and work. The ten start-ups are Alner, Azura Indonesia, ARHEA, MonMang, Container, Cycles, Get Plastic, Banoo, Waterhub, and Bioniqa. Sequentially presenting their startups in front of investors and other stakeholders, with the hope that an agreement will be produced between the two parties after the pitching session.

With the implementation of this event, the AIS Forum through the AIS Blue Hub proactively encourages start-ups to continue developing their work and innovations, and helps connect these developers with potential funders. At the same time, the AIS Forum helps provide space for investors and other stakeholders who wish to support the growth of the blue sector in Indonesia. This increase in multistakeholder exposure is expected to be a catalyst for increasing the quality and potential resources of business and the economy in the blue sector in Indonesia. More importantly, the meeting of startups with potential investors, the government sector, the private sector, philanthropy, and business ecosystem incubators, can open up great opportunities for mutual collaboration and connection among blue sector entrepreneurs.

The culmination of this Business Matchmaking event was a pitching session from several start-ups engaged in the blue economy, where their works and innovations were engaged in the scope of the four focus areas of the AIS Forum, namely Mitigation and Adaptation, Climate Change, Blue Economy, Marine Plastic Waste Management, and Good Maritime Governance. A total of ten (10) innovators attended and presented their innovations and work. The ten start-ups are Alner, Azura Indonesia, The

Islands Hackathon & Islands Clean-up with Lazada & DCA

11 March 2023 -

For people living on the Island, the incredible scenery and ecosystem of the Island act as their primary source of economic income, as tourists would visit the Island to enjoy its beauty. However, when COVID-19 hit, online shopping activity increased, causing more packaging waste that ends up on the shore of the Thousand Islands including plastic wraps, bubble wraps, and duct tape. As more waste disrupts the environment and tourists stop showing up, this trend becomes a big problem.

What’s concerning is that the citizens of the islands don’t even realize how increased waste could impact their lives. When asked about how the increased number of waste affects their life, most of them said that it didn’t affect their lives directly, but it’s clear that the environment is the one that

Thousand Islands is known for its beautiful beaches, clean white sands, colorful coral plants, and lush mangrove plants. Each year, tourists and divers come to visit the Island to enjoy the Island’s natural beauty while being under the hot sun.

takes all the damage. “The increasing amount of plastic waste on Pulau Seribu has polluted the environment and the surrounding marine ecosystem. For example, you can find turtles eating plastic waste, affecting the marine ecosystem,” described by Intan Syahriani, a resident of Pramuka Island who is also an environmental researcher.

In the hopes of gaining awareness and directly clean the environment, the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum with Lazada Indonesia, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and supported by Divers Clean Action held beach, mangrove, and coral clean-up activities in the Pramuka Island, Thousand Islands.

The AIS Forum also held the Island Hackathon, which invites eight start-up companies and waste management organizations to address waste problems and find solutions for the greater good of the community. For being one of the platforms for e-commerce in Indonesia, the Vice President of Government Affairs at Lazada Indonesia, Mr Budi Primawan, felt that it is essential for everyone to realize how damaging plastic waste can be.

Mangrove Planting with AIS Forum 2023

26 July 2023 - In commemoration of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem or Mangrove Day, the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum organized two events in two countries as part of its commitment to preserving the crucial mangrove ecosystem for the environment and coastal communities. The events were held simultaneously in Indonesia and Dominica, with hundreds of participants joining from various communities and organizations.

Both activities in the two countries were a resounding success, held under collaboration between participants, government, and local organizations. In Jakarta, the Mangrove planting activity was conducted at Taman Wisata Alam (TWA) Muara Angke, North Jakarta, whilst in La Plaine, Dominica, the event started with the information session on Mangrove Health Index and followed by clean-up activity in the mangrove area in Boute Sabe Beach.

The mangrove ecosystem plays a crucial role in the environment, as it provides numerous benefits such as mitigating coastal flooding, filtering water, reducing emissions, and combating climate change. Restoring the mangrove ecosystem is essential as mangroves protect coastal communities and support marine biodiversity. According to data from the World Economic Forum in 2021, mangroves globally protect more than 15 million people and prevent over $65 billion in property damages each year.

With these two activities, AIS Forum aims to raise an awareness on the importance of the conservation of mangroves ecosystem and encourage active participation in protecting this valuable natural resource. All in all, the events served as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to collectively make an effort to restore and protect mangrove habitats for the advancement of coastal and marine areas. This call for action from AIS Forum invites all stakeholders to join their hands in taking concrete actions for the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem, which have provided people with numerous benefits throughout time.

AIS Business Acceleration 2023

27 April 2023 - The AIS Business Acceleration 2023 seeks to facilitate innovators to deploy technology and innovative solutions to enhance climate adaptation and resilience across different sectors and levels in AIS’s countries. The ambition and expected outcome from this AIS Business Acceleration is to create a commercially viable business model that can be deploy and implemented in one or more AIS participating countries, with a pilot project goals that to implement innovations that are transferable, replicable, and scalable that can be sustained and contribute directly to the achievement of AIS goals

The winners were picked by the AIS team with a panel of judges from qualifications based on some assessment criteria. From a total up to 30 start-ups with many innovative ideas proposed, selected a

total of four winners. The winner was awarded with a USD 20,000 seed-funding which will be arranged through innovation challenge modality. The winners will also get a chance to present their innovative idea in front of the head of states in the AIS Forum High Level Meeting 2023.

The first winner, Azura Indonesia, is driven to provide an innovative electric propulsion system, called MantaOne, that is powered by a battery pack and can give a direct impact on cost efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. The second winner, Containder, provides a digitalization system for regionalized waste management. The third winner, Kee Farms, aims to engage solutions for sargassum (algae) inundations, which are a net negative to the coastal ecosystem. Last, the fourth winner, Robo Marine, created ARHEA (Advance Drifter GPS Oceanography Coverage Area) that can provide accurate and reliable data on oceanographic parameters.

As these start-ups are showing a dramatic growth and providing so much ideas and innovations, AIS with the business acceleration program seeing the challenges and opportunities to seek creative ideas and breakthrough solutions, that can help archipelagic and island states’ economy and businesses to be more adaptive, stronger, and resilient. .

Campus Roadshow: IPB

28-30 April 2023 - Celebrating Indonesia’s National Fisherman Day, BEM FPIK (Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences) IPB University in collaboration with AIS Forum held an event called “Turun Lapang Hari Nelayan 2023” in Sebesi Island, South Lampung, Indonesia on 29th April 2023. The event carried a theme to appreciate the role of fishermen in achieving food security and coastal communities welfare. This series of events include mangrove planting, coastal clean-up, youth socialization of waste management and marine debris, locals socialization of sustainable fisheries, and a personal interview with many of local fishermen to know more about their fishing difficulties.

With an area of 26,200,000 square kilometers and 2,739 inhabitants, Sebesi Island has a difficult access and location in the middle of Sunda strait. The only way to go there is by boat, which is accessible only from Canti harbor in South Lampung. Many locals use boats to transport themselves to the big city in Lampung for shopping, working, or even get their daily needs, because there’s no other way to get it on the island. Most locals live as farmers, fishermen, and harbor laborers. That makes the poverty rate pretty high, because they didn’t have much technology, facilities, and access. Because of that, BEM FPIK IPB in collaboration with AIS Forum want to appreciate, educate, and socialize to achieve the coastal community welfare.

This series of Turun Lapang Hari Nelayan events kick off with mangrove planting, with 32 seeds of mangrove planted at Sebesi Island Mangrove Conservation Site, to preserve the natural beauty of the island. Then, the participants with many youths from elementary and high school started the beach clean-up, with coverage of 4,200 square meters on the harbor area. After that, the youths gathered to take up the socialization about waste management and marine debris, with 42 youths across the island participating.

The main event was marked by socialization to local fishermen about sustainable fishing, with 15 participants included. The event served as a platform for education and awareness raising on sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation, with the topics presented on sustainable fishing equipment and methods, IUU and ghost fishing, Fisheries Management Area (WPP), and blue economy. Through this event, AIS Forum with BEM FPIK IPB hope to strengthen the knowledge and to promote and raise more awareness about the sustainable use of marine resources.

Turun Lapang Hari Nelayan 2023 promises to be an exciting and meaningful event that celebrates the contribution of fishermen to the nation’s economy and culture while promoting sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation. It is an excellent opportunity for us to experience the richness of Indonesia’s marine and cultural heritage and to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in the fishing industry.

In collaboration with UNDP Indonesia and IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), AIS Forum initiated a fully-funded scholarship for the Program on Small Island Resources Management in IPB University. The main topic of the scholarship program is to focus on research for Marine Pollution and Conservation, Climate Change, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Tourism, Blue Economy, and Cultural Studies.

Scholarship Announcement

17 July 2023 - In collaboration with UNDP Indonesia and IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), AIS Forum initiated a fully-funded scholarship for the Program on Small Island Resources Management in IPB University. The main topic of the scholarship program is to focus on research for Marine Pollution and Conservation, Climate Change, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Tourism, Blue Economy, and Cultural Studies. The 10 awardee of this scholarship are:

Congratulations for all of the awardee! Let’s open the opportunity to explore the depth of marine science together with AIS Forum and IPB University!

Abigail Richards Antigua & Barbuda

Adiola Walcott Guyana

Alzira dos Santos Timor Leste

Emeli Bernard Fiji

Gatot Prayoga Indonesia Ibrahim Tamou Comoros

Jhon Ricarrdo Madagascar

Jimmy Belade Solomon Island

Lisa Ipambonj Papua New Guinea

Olivier Kasso Vanuatu

Waste Collection Recap

17 July 2023 - One of the focus issues of the AIS Forum is managing marine plastic debris to preserve the ocean and its beautiful scenery. Despite humanity’s utter reliance on it and compared to the breadth of what it gives us, the ocean receives only a small fragment of our attention, resources, and responsibility in return. In total, this was the amount of waste that we had collected in 2023!

MARCH 196.42 kg

m

of

APRIL 37.15 kg

m

in 1,200

2

Pulau Pramuka Main Port & Beach Mangrove Area

in 4,200

2 of Sebesi Island Port Area

MAY 53.20 kg

JUNE 10.11 kg

TOTAL WASTE COLLECTED 296.88 kg

TOTAL AREA COVERED 6,000 m 2

in 300 m 2 of Rambut Island

in 300 m 2 of Rambut Island

Regional Event

World Ocean Day Madagascar

22 June 2023 - In collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MPEB) of Madagascar and the ConserFashion organized a workshop on blue entrepreneurship in conjunction with the World Oceans Day celebration that falls on 9 June 2023. This was also part of the side events for the AIS Forum’s upcoming Senior Official Meeting that will take place in Madagascar, August 2023.

This event was conducted with the aim of raising awareness and sharing the journey of marine conservation leaders and blue entrepreneurs in Madagascar, seeing that fisheries and the blue economy are among the most important pillars in Madagascar’s economic emergence. Therefore, the event was simultaneously held to support the government’s effort to maximize the potential through several key areas, such as good maritime governance and the enhancement of blue economy value chains.

Also working alongside the AIS Forum in organizing the event was ConserFashion, an eco-responsible clothing and accessories dedicated to international conservation leaders. ConserFashion highlighted the importance of sustainable business practices while at the same time promote environmental education and recycling activity.

Key speakers at the event were invited to talk about fisheries, marine conservation leaders, and entrepreneurs, which was then followed by talk shows about the impact of fashion for the ocean, film screening, and collective reflection. This was all aimed to understand and generate a new wave of excitement to discover a journey as living inspiration for sustainable fisheries and marine conservation for a better future in Madagascar.

Earth Day Barbados

23 April 2023 - Celebrating the 2023 Earth Day on 22 April, AIS Forum in collaboration with Barbados Environmental and Conservation Thrust (BECT), WIRRED Barbados, Rotaract South Barbados, and our Barbados Youth Ambassador organized an event in Walkers Reserve, St. Andrews, Barbados.

We hosted an interactive and educational event that includes a guided walking tour of BECT’s restoration project and surrounding areas, planting 25 trees, and an information session on climate change and climate resiliency in Barbados.

With 50 volunteers participated, this event aims to contribute directly to the education and environmental consciousness of locals on the islands, then equipped to better play the role in the protection and preservation of Barbados’ natural ecosystems.

AIS Youth Ambassador

Papua New Guinea

18 February 2023 - Timothy Airblake, AIS Youth Ambassador in Papua New Guinea, supported the Coastline Care Project formed by alumni of the Kokoda Track Foundation. In partnership with the Lakwaharu Tertiary Students Association (LTSA) and Lukautim Yut Komuniti Envairamen na Sevis PNG (LYKES PNG), he organized the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project at Tubusereia, Papua New Guinea.

This project has successfully planted 1,000 seeds of mangrove in 4 different locations and aims to help conserve and build a more resilient coastline across Papua New Guinea. It also has a goal to bring together a global movement of change to our societies and communities to foster relationships for the young generation to be inspired through unity in diversity.

Solomon Islands

19 April 2023 - Clifton To’otalau, the AIS Youth Ambassador from Solomon Islands, initiated the program to educate and engage youth of Solomon Islands to understand the importance of conservation and protected area. This workshopevent aims to empower the youths of indigenous communities in Solomon Islands, especially in Honiara City.

Attended by collaborating members from many associations, such as Youth Advocacy Agency Association (YAA), Kunsao Community Youth Association (KCYA), Honiara City based students of the University of South Pacific (USP), Solomon Island National University (SINU), Coronation High School, Mbokvera Community High School, and some youth leaders from Honiara City.

AIS Forum Secretariat

Menara Thamrin 14th Floor, Jl. MH Thamrin Kav. 3, Jakarta 10250, Indonesia

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© Archipelagic and Island States Forum 2023