The president opened the meeting by extending his gratitude to Premier Tagelagi for his participation in the AIS Forum's inaugural summit and his state's support for the Indonesia-Pacific Forum for Development.
"I am aware that Your Excellency supported Indonesia in December of 2022 during the Indonesia-Pacific Forum for Development, a forum that seeks to strengthen economic cooperation and development partnership in the Pacific region," he told Tagelagi, as cited from a statement received in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, the head of government of Niue expressed joy for having an opportunity to attend the 2023 High Level Meeting of the AIS Forum.
He also admitted to being amazed by Indonesia's diversity as well as President Widodo's success in bringing together archipelagic and island states to discuss efforts to overcome common challenges.
"I would like to once again express my joy for being here," he stated.
Premier Tagelagi lauded President Widodo for his leadership and vision that have led small island states to unite.
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Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and Minister of State Secretary Pratikno accompanied President Widodo during the bilateral meeting.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry's Director General of Asia-Pacific and Africa, Abdul Kadir Jailani, and the ministry's Director of Pacific and Oceania, Adi Dzulfuat, also joined the meeting.
On the same day, the Indonesian head of state also held bilateral meetings with representatives from other participating countries of the AIS Forum, including Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, and Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, Patrice Emery Trovoada.
Indonesia hosted the first-ever High Level Meeting of the AIS Forum on October 10-11 in Badung District, Bali.
The High Level Meeting was complemented by several side activities, such as the AIS Youth Conference, the AIS Startup Blue Business Summit, the AIS Blue Economy High Level Dialogue, and the AIS Research and Development Conference.
The 5th Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum also took place on October 10 in Bali.
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Translator: Rangga P/Yashinta D, Tegar Nurfitra Putra Rofian
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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