By Clarissa Andini )*
The Indonesian government as the host of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) has prepared a draft containing a number of important points which will be included in a ministerial level declaration at the international event which will be held on 18–25 May 2024 in Nusa Dua, Bali. This event is considered strategic and will strengthen Indonesia’s important position in the international community.
The 10th World Water Forum carries the big theme ” Water for Shared Prosperity”. The meeting of world leaders will later raise and discuss water issues as well as find joint solutions to water management problems. This forum will produce a Ministerial Declaration as the main result accompanied by concrete proposals or concrete deliverables in the form of projects, initiatives, joint actions. This forum consists of three main processes, namely the political process, regional process and thematic process.
Deputy Chair of the Secretariat of the 10th World Water Forum National Committee, as well as Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) for Technology, Industry and the Environment, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, emphasized that there were four points that Indonesia was pushing for to be agreed to become a Ministerial Declaration (MD) at the 10th World Water Forum later.
The four proposals of the ministerial declaration (MD), namely the establishment of a Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience (COE); mainstreaming Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) on Small Islands ; Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions ; and the establishment of World Lake Day (WLD). These four agendas are initiatives for concrete follow-up from participating countries in the 10th WWF.
The listing of water projects as the Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions is inclusive, but voluntary and contains a list of projects, initiatives and collaborations managed by national, regional and international water stakeholders . Therefore, Indonesia will also prepare the online platform needed for the submission process.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marinves), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that the ministerial declaration (MD) was a commitment from world leaders, related to the problem of water shortage in the world . Furthermore, Coordinating Minister Luhut stated that the ministerial level declaration was not binding, but was a joint agreement and commitment regarding the importance of water availability in the world.
Luhut, who is also Chair of the National Committee for the Implementation of the 10th Water World Forum, revealed that the ministerial level declaration also contained Indonesia’s national interests, especially regarding water resources, which is one of the world’s crucial issues.
On another occasion, Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) for Technology, Industry and the Environment, Endra S Atmawidjaja, added that Indonesia is believed to be able to lead the 10th WWF meeting to produce important and concrete agreements to safeguard the sustainability of water and the environment. global.
Indonesia’s success in encouraging water governance through a local cultural approach is believed to be an attraction for world leaders to attend the forum which will be held on 18–25 May 2024. The many good practices that Indonesia has implemented are considered as an advantage of the meeting which involved all stakeholders in water governance. The world can learn a lot from what Indonesia has done.
Among them are the Subak system in Bali which has been recognized by UNESCO in managing irrigation through local wisdom , or Lake Bratan which is also in Bali. What has often been witnessed together is the Community Forest Park (Tahura) which shows how important mangroves are in supporting water management. These are all good examples that world leaders and delegates can directly witness.
The 10th WWF delegation is planned to visit rice fields in Jatiluwih Village, Tabanan, Bali, to see the typical agricultural irrigation system on the Island of the Gods. These delegates will also be invited to look at the Community-Based Drinking Water and Sanitation (Pamsimas) and Community-Based Sanitation (Sanimas) Programs run by the PUPR Ministry.
The opening of the 10th World Water Forum based in Nusa Dua Bali will be held at Kura-Kura Bali. The opening ceremony was wrapped in the theme ” Balinese Water Purification Ceremony “. Next, the Welcoming Gala Dinner at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park will be held on Sunday, May 19 2024.
On Monday, May 20 2024, at BICC, Nusa Dua, an Opening Ceremony and High-Level Meeting was held which was immediately followed by interface meetings with those responsible for political, thematic and regional processes, as well as bilateral meetings with several heads of state.
After the Opening Ceremony, the opening of the fair and expo was immediately held at the Nusa Dua Hall BNDCC. Fair and expo locations are spread across BNDCC, BICC and Kuta Beach. Political, thematic and regional process sessions will be held on 20–25 May 2024. Meanwhile, specifically for high-level meetings and ministerial meetings will be held on 20–21 May 2024. Taking place at Taman Bhagawan, on Friday, 24 May 2024, it will be Cultural Night (Farewell) was held .
Meanwhile, the Closing Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 25 2024 at Mangupura Hall. After this activity, participants will be taken on a field trip , among others, to the Water Museum in Tabanan, Jatiluwih UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Batur Kintamani, and Ubud Cultural Village.
Through its participation in the 10th World Water Forum, Indonesia is committed to being a motor of change in global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals related to water. By gathering support from various parties and implementing innovative solutions, Indonesia believes that we can flow together in protecting water resources for future generations.
)* The author is a student at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB)