Prime Minister attends the 2023 Archipelagic and Island States Forum
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão took part in the First High-Level Meeting of the 2023 Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS Forum), held in Bali, Indonesia, on October 10th and 11th, 2023.
The AIS Forum is a platform designed to include island states and archipelagic countries, regardless of their region, size and level of development. A global initiative that brings together 51 archipelagic and island nations to participate in a collective forum that addresses challenges related to the sustainable use of marine resources for sustainable economic growth, resilience to climate change, ocean pollution, emergency management and strengthening sustainable fisheries.
Under the theme "Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation. For Our Ocean and Our Future", the high-level event brought together Heads of State and Government to discuss operationalising technological, innovative and nature-based solutions to address joint development and environmental challenges, in line with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular SDG 14.
In his speech, the Prime Minister stated that it was "a privilege to take part in this First High-Level Meeting of Island and Archipelagic States", which "aims to promote cooperation and solidarity so that together we can seek solutions for the sustainable development of our states and marine conservation".
"The ocean unites all the countries represented here. The ocean gives us life. The ocean connects humanity and gives us common identities and shared challenges and ambitions," added Xanana Gusmão.
The Head of Government emphasised that "like most Small Island States, Timor-Leste is vulnerable to climate change and the destruction of our greatest asset - our marine environment in all its diversity and wonder".
He also mentioned the importance for Timor-Leste "of finalising our maritime borders", highlighting the agreement already achieved with Australia "through the first ever compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS" and also the ongoing negotiation process "of our maritime borders with Indonesia, in a spirit of friendship and cooperation".
He also underlined the existing cooperation "with Indonesia in the creation of a marine park for the sustainable management of our seas", which "I would like it to be known as the Peace Park, not only for its symbolic value but also to reflect its importance in the conservation of our biodiversity and our common development".
The Prime Minister said that Timor-Leste is "starting to promote the Blue Economy as another avenue for national development" and that "initiatives such as the AIS Blue Hub, the Research and Development Centre and the Blue Economy Development Index will support our efforts".
He also announced that Timor-Leste intends to "establish a Marine Research and Education Centre on Ataúro Island", "located just 30 kilometres off the coast of our capital, Dili, which is home to some of the most biodiverse waters in the world".
The Head of the Government ended his speech by stressing that "this forum is a welcome opportunity to embrace our common connection to the ocean and work together to achieve sustainable development and marine conservation". It conveyed his "appreciation to Indonesia's leaders for facilitating collaboration between archipelagic and island states around our ocean and our future".
