"COVID-19 clearly brings to light the fact that no country can single-handedly face a crisis situation. The broad and long-term threat posed by the spread of this virus necessitates the international community to jointly handle the current pandemic," the coordinating minister's deputy for maritime sovereignty, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, stated at the launch of the AIS program and talk show.
In a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday, Sadewa highlighted that the AIS Forum was designed as an open medium that can function as a development platform.
Sadewa remarked that AIS had become a collaborative forum that complements and boosts existing forums through innovative collaboration.
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According to Sadewa, the AIS forum was a tool for countries and the international global community to channel their available resources, knowledge, and expertise, as a means to overcome developmental issues through the formation of intelligent and innovative solutions.
"The Indonesian government has worked closely with UNDP and the AIS Forum Secretariat to support collaboration between island nations and islands around the world. Based on the 2018 Manado Joint Declaration agreement and the Final Results of the AIS Forum in 2019, the AIS Secretariat will support the AIS Forum in terms of implementing smart solutions and innovations in four areas of cooperation comprising mitigation and adaptation to climate change, blue economy, marine plastic waste, and good maritime governance," he expounded.
On the occasion, Purbaya expressed hope that Indonesia would also celebrate World Sea Day on the same day as World Earth Day that falls on June 8, 2020.
"I believe, we are all connected. As residents of island or island nations, we have unique perspectives and experiences that differ from continental-based countries. As Hellen Keller once said, 'Alone we can do little, together we can do so much.' I hope we can stay connected, work together, and support each other," he affirmed.
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Translator: Ade Irma, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
