Bali, Indonesia – Ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Saleem participated in the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Archipelagic Island States (AIS) Forum.
The meeting was hosted by the Government of Indonesia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the development partner.
Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting, Ambassador Saleem emphasized the importance of vast ocean resources for the Archipelagic Island States, such as the Maldives, as well as the importance of preventing ocean pollution.
He further noted that since the fisheries industry accounts for a large percentage of the national GDP, stressors to the environment have direct and indirect impacts on the important economic sectors and the overall development of the economy.
Furthermore, Ambassador Saleem noted that the outcomes of the recently concluded COP27 has given hope to any archipelagic and island states, with the establishment of the “loss and damage” fund.
He also highlighted the importance of working together to change economic systems and lifestyles to more sustainable ones, prioritizing adaptation, utilizing the innovative minds and latest technological breakthroughs.
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a platform that brings together 47 archipelagic and island states to take part in a collective forum addressing challenges of ocean resource usage for sustainable economic growth, climate change resiliency, ocean pollution, emergency management, and the enhancement of sustainable fisheries.
Ambassador Saleem was accompanied by Mr. Mohamed Thahseen, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives.
[Source: Foreign Ministry]
