Indonesia readies infrastructure for AIS Forum Summit

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs has announced it has readied the infrastructure for the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit, which will be held on October 10 and 11, 2023, in Bali.

The ministry's deputy for maritime sovereignty and energy, Jodi Mahardi, said that the infrastructure for the AIS Forum is ready since the venue is the same place where the G20 Bali Summit was held in 2022.

"Regarding infrastructure readiness, after seeing the current condition, we say that the entire infrastructure is ready. This is inseparable from the legacy of the G20 Summit last year, where all infrastructure has been maximally improved," he told ANTARA here on Thursday.

Delegates from 51 archipelagic and island countries will attend the 2023 AIS Forum Summit.

Some international organizations, including the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will also participate in the event.

He said there is no plan for a tour of the mangrove conservation area during the AIS Forum Summit given the busy agenda.

In terms of security, he assured that the government had prepared security scenarios at a number of points according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and applicable regulations.

"The security scenarios will be adjusted to the needs in the field; for instance, the closure of roads will only be carried out tentatively. Meanwhile, security at venues, airports, and roads passed by leaders will be held according to the provision," he informed.

The government will apply health protocols, but they will be different from the ones applied during last year's G20 Bali Summit, when the pandemic status was still in place.

"The Indonesian government will still advise delegates and all parties involved to practice the necessary health protocols," he said.