CTI-CFF participates as observer in the 5th Senior Official Meeting (SOM) of the AIS Forum

The CTI-CFF, through its Regional Secretariat, attended as an observer in the 5th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the AIS Forum on 10 November 2020. The meeting was held in preparation for the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum scheduled for 25 November 2020, to review the progress of the activities and working plan of the AIS Forum Secretariat.

During the meeting, Mr. Gustaaf Lumiu, Deputy Executive Director of Corporate Services of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, expressed CTI-CFF’s desire to strengthen its commitment to being part of a collaborative action group to address common regional challenges such as climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster management. “CTI-CFF is interested in working together to address economic challenges and opportunities, including the blue economy, sustainable fisheries, and marine plastic pollution,” he said.

Mr. Lumiu also noted that CTI-CFF intends to pursue actionable and tangible collaborations and partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including youth, women, private sector actors, philanthropists, non-governmental organizations, collaborative partners, as well as international and multinational organizations, to strengthen joint efforts through smart and innovative solutions.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the following countries: Bahamas, Comoros, Dominica, Fiji, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom.