FSM Delegation joins Inaugural Archipelagic and Island States Forum

Bali, Indonesia, – From October 10 – 11, 2023, an FSM delegation led by H.E. President Wesley W. Simina, participated in the inaugural Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum, co-hosted by the Republic of Indonesia and the United Nations Development Program in the province of Bali, Indonesia. The (AIS) Forum is a platform designed to include 51 archipelagic and island states around the world to take part in a collective forum addressing sustainable development issues with a focus on four key areas, including, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Blue Economy, Marine Plastic Debris and Good Maritime Governance. The summit, gathered under the theme of “Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation, for our Ocean and Our Future”, and featured a ministerial level meeting, where the FSM was represented by T.H. Secretary Andrew Yatilman and a high-level meeting where President Simina headed the delegation. Following opening remarks from the host, the President of Indonesia, H.E. Joko Widodo, President Simina kicked off the discussions where he highlighted regional and national initiatives that align with the pillars of the forum, including the Micronesia Challenge, Blue Prosperity Micronesia, efforts to combat IUU fishing, the FSM’s legislation to ban the import of single-use plastics, as well as the recent signing of the BBNJ (Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement, where the FSM was its first signatory. Following the AIS high-level meeting, President Simina and delegation had a bilateral meeting with President Widodo, to discuss matters of mutual interest to the FSM and Indonesia, including, connectivity through air transportation, agriculture and aquaculture, as well as continued collaboration in regards to both nation’s continental shelf claim over the Eurapik Rise area. The Forum ended on a high note with the agreement of the Leaders Declaration on the Solidarity of the Archipelagic and Island States which signifies the commitment of its members to strengthen cooperation in addressing shared challenges based on the principles of solidarity, equality, and inclusiveness.