The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, represented Timor-Leste at the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS Forum) 2023, which took place in Bali, Indonesia, on October 10th, 2023. 
Under the theme “Fostering Collaboration, Enabling Innovation. For Our Ocean and Our Future”, the meeting focused on developing the blue economy, the challenges caused by climate change and solidarity between archipelagic and island states.
The AIS Forum is a platform designed to include island states and archipelagic countries, regardless of their region, dimension, 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. 
During the event, Minister Bendito Freitas stated that “Timor-Leste’s participation in the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of Archipelagic and Island States aims to contribute to discussions on the security of the global marine environment and the sustainable use of marine life for future generations, given the various threats arising from global climate change, which causes frequent extreme changes in weather patterns, with disastrous consequences for humanity”.
He argued that “strengthening cooperation between Archipelagic and Island States can contribute to preventing threats to marine life, ensuring peace and security in Archipelagic and Island States”.
Bendito Freitas said that “Timor-Leste, under the Constitutional Government, led by His Excellency Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, is committed to cooperating with all international entities, including the Archipelagic and Island States, to face common challenges in the years to come.”
Also, within the framework of the AIS Forum 2023, the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, participated in the First High-Level Meeting, reinforcing Timor-Leste’s commitment to global collaboration to face common challenges and achieve sustainable development and marine conservation.