First high-level meeting of the Archipelagic and Island states (AIS) forum |13 October 2023
Minister Ferrari during the forum
Seychelles endorses leaders’ declaration
Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries and Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari was among several heads of states and high-level representatives of governments during the Archipelagic and Island States forum.
Held under the theme ‘Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation for our Ocean and Our Future’, the forum took place between October 9 and 11, 2023 in Bali, Indonesia.
It brought together officials from top levels of government from Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) forum participating countries to amplify the traction of the AIS forum corporation and to conduct in-depth deliberations pertaining to viable solutions on issues in the four main thematic areas of the AIS as well as to meet the objectives of sustainable development goal (SDG) 14.
The main objective of the forum was to promote sustainable development in archipelagic and island states, to encourage economic growth while protecting the environment, ensuring social equity, and strengthening governance systems; and also, to develop joint strategies for monitoring economic development in AIS forum countries.
Heading the Seychelles delegation, Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries and Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari, actively took part in a side event on October 5 and 9, ministerial meeting on October 10 and the first high-level meeting on October 11.
The AIS forum was convened under the patronage of the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, who also chaired the high-level meeting. The highlight of the event was the endorsement of the joint leader’s declaration of the AIS forum which aims to cement the participation and collaboration of AIS members.
In his remarks during the high-level meeting, Designated Minister Ferrari expressed Seychelles’ commitment towards ensuring sustainable ocean-based development and urged the leaders present to nurture the vision of developing archipelagic and Island states that are prosperous, resilient, inclusive and sustainable while maintaining a healthy ocean for the future generations.
In the sidelines of the forum, other events were organised, such as the AIS youth conference, AIS research and development forum and also an AIS entrepreneurs exhibition in which Seychelles was represented by a female entrepreneur from the fisheries sector.
During the event, Designated Minister Ferrari also explored collaboration opportunities and actively engaged with other heads of delegations in possible areas of cooperation.
The delegation also had the opportunity to conduct a field visit to the Persemaian mangrove farm which was hosted by the deputy for environmental and forestry management coordination, under the coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Nani Hendiarti.
Text & photos contributed
