It is our time to show best practices and lessons, to learn from each other about the sea and its surroundingsJakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has emphasized the importance of cooperation among islands and archipelagic countries on blue economy, climate change, and sustainability.
While opening the “Blue Innovation Solution Conference” in Bali on Monday, Pandjaitan invited island and archipelagic countries who are members of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS Forum) to realize this collaboration.
"The ‘Blue Innovation Solution (BIS)’ is being held to maximize our strengths in terms of blue economy, climate change, and sustainability. This is a strong organization and this is our success story. If we work together, we will achieve a better result than before," he said, according to a statement received here on Monday.
The AIS Forum would also promote collaboration between islanders around the world, the minister added.
Indonesia also invited start-ups, businesses, small and medium enterprises, academic and research institutions, community-based organizations, women, youth, and persons with disabilities to the conference.
Pandjaitan noted that the forum aims to enable productive discussions and the exchange of ideas among those working on blue economy, climate change, and sustainability issues.
He also said he hoped that the conference would help establish new partnerships, connect innovators with investors, and encourage greater community participation in producing positive change.
"It is our time to show best practices and lessons, to learn from each other about the sea and its surroundings. We can also discuss, overcome, and create innovations and solutions regarding current efforts and challenges," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy of the Republic of Cabo Verde, Alexandre Dias Monteiro, said the conference has opened up the possibility for better communication among and participation of key stakeholders.
The activity provides them space for sharing their concerns, exchanging experiences, and conducting open debates about the marine environment with a view to adopting innovative ocean conservation and preservation measures as solutions in the blue economy, Monteiro added.
He said the sea makes up 99 percent of Cabo Verde’s territory. This marine area is a strategic resource for the country's development. Therefore, the government has chosen blue economy as a top priority.
"We must preserve what we have in order to survive. There is an urgency to promote a paradigm shift related to the sea and use it as one of the main anchor points for economic development, diversification, and specialization," he added.
The “Blue Innovation Solution Conference” is a side event of the AIS Forum. A number of speakers from Indonesia and AIS Forum members spoke on different themes at the conference.
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Translator: Ade Irma J, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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