President Jokowi officially opened the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) on Monday (20/5). The government also hopes that the implementation of the 10th WWF can become a momentum for the formulation of equitable global water management.
The 10th WWF became a focal point for global stakeholders to discuss challenges and solutions related to water management. The forum plays a more significant role in formulating measures for more equitable and sustainable water management throughout the world. The forum attracted broad participation from various sectors, including governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. Strong involvement of all key parties ensures that multiple perspectives and interests are considered in policy formulation.
One of the main focuses of the 10th WWF is the discussion of key issues related to water management, such as access to clean water, sustainability of water resources, climate change mitigation on the water cycle, and other social, economic and environmental aspects. Through various discussion sessions, workshops and meetings, forum participants shared experiences and lessons in water management. Sustainable and relevant solutions are identified and discussed for implementation in various contexts.
The 10th WWF is an opportunity to build global consensus on the principles and steps necessary for equitable water management. This involves discussions on water resource allocation, protection of aquatic ecosystems, and empowerment of local communities. The results and recommendations of the 10th WWF have the potential to influence policymaking at national and international levels. By involving diverse stakeholders, this forum shapes policy directions that are more inclusive and evidence-based.
According to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, fulfillment of SDGs targets in Indonesia has exceeded 60 percent by 2023. This has made many countries interested in studying Indonesia’s approach to achieving these goals, especially in the midst of the various crises they are facing.
The Director General of Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tri Tharyat, stated that the Indonesian government was fighting for four main things in managing global water resources at the 10th WWF. Some of the main issues include international agreements through the UN General Assembly regarding the establishment of World Lake Day. Next, Indonesia will also propose the establishment of a Center of Excellence related to water issues and climate change as well as resilience in both situations.
Third, the Indonesian Government continues to strive for an Integrated Water Resources Management program (integrated management of water resources), especially on small islands. And finally, Indonesia will also strive to produce more than 100 concrete projects in the water sector which have been curated by the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR).
Previously, the President of the World Water Council, Loïc Fauchon, invited all countries to make the 10th WWF a momentum to increase cooperation in global water management. Fauchon emphasized that water problems must be one of the main priorities for all countries in the world today. He highlighted the importance of political awareness to work together to address water management challenges.
Fauchon also highlighted the main water-related problems in Southeast Asian countries, such as the lack of effective management of water resources and massive population growth which increases the need for clean water. He also stressed the importance of addressing issues such as climate change and rising sea levels that affect many countries around the world.
The Indonesian government has proposed the formation of a Global Water Fund at the 10th WWF event which will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali in May 2024. Discussions regarding the formation of this global fund will be one of the main topics in the political, regional and thematic processes at the forum.
Coordinator of the 10th WWF Sustainable Water Financing Sub-theme, who also serves as Director General of Public Works and Housing Infrastructure Financing at the Ministry of PUPR, Herry Trisaputra Zuna, stated that the formation of the Global Water Fund aims to overcome budget imbalances and accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 , namely achieving access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. Currently, around 2.2 billion people in the world still do not have access to clean water.
Herry also explained that the Global Water Fund would be used to finance water infrastructure, mitigate water-related crises or disasters, adapt to climate change, as well as monitoring mechanisms. The establishment of this fund is expected to be a concrete step in overcoming global water problems.
In addition, the Indonesian government has established the Indonesian Water Fund (IWF) as an effort to encourage investment and provide clean water throughout Indonesia. IWF is expected to operate funding of up to 1 billion US dollars for clean water projects.
Muhammad Zainal Fatah, Chair of the Secretariat of the 10th WWF National Organizing Committee, who also serves as Secretary General of the Ministry of PUPR, stated that the results of discussions related to sustainable water financing and the initiation of the Global Water Fund will be compiled in the form of a concept note which will be discussed further at WWF.
The Indonesian government is carrying out four important missions at the 10th World Water Forum, including the presence of a centralized network in the Asia Pacific region that focuses on issues of water security, climate change and environmental research. It is hoped that these various agendas can be realized as one of Indonesia’s legacies for the world.
