The 10th World Water Forum which took place in Bali on 18 – 25 May 2024 was an important event to find solutions for water governance at the global level. In his remarks, President Jokowi conveyed that his host status reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to jointly formulate concrete actions for inclusive and sustainable water management.
With the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity”, this event was attended by a number of heads of state such as the Prime Minister (PM) of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda, President Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, and President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere. The increasing clean water crisis and increasingly unpredictable climate change are the background for this forum to formulate positive changes in managing water resources.
President Jokowi emphasized that water management must be carried out well because it concerns food security and can disrupt peace because water is a source of life.
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Apart from that, President Jokowi also said that Indonesia has experience in water management with a local wisdom approach to managing water, one of which is the Subak irrigation system in Bali, which has been practiced since the 11th century, and is recognized as a world cultural heritage.
In the last 10 years, Indonesia has strengthened its water infrastructure by building 42 dams, 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks, 2156 km of flood control and coastal protection, as well as rehabilitating 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks.
The World Water Forum was held with the aim of strengthening global collaboration and partnerships in finding solutions and overcoming challenges related to water and sanitation. Apart from this main objective, there are several derivative objectives that are to be achieved in each implementation. First, increasing the strategic value of water by building political commitment to progress in water and sanitation management (SDGs 6). Second, increase awareness of water as an important issue globally. Third, as a multi-stakeholder event to discuss and share experiences, as well as develop knowledge and best practices in water and sanitation management.
Since the second meeting in The Hague, the implementation of the World Water Forum has produced a Ministerial Declaration containing political commitments from participating countries. The main issues that continued to develop until the ninth meeting included various important aspects related to water and sanitation.
Some prominent issues are the basic right to access quality water and sanitation, as well as the nexus or connection between water, food, energy, health and climate change. Another issue that is in focus is strengthening collaboration and partnerships in the integration of water resources management to achieve water security, including trans-boundary water management and innovative funding for sustainable water management.
Apart from that, the World Water Forum also discusses the advancement of technological innovation in supporting water and sanitation management, as well as efforts to overcome water-related disasters. Inclusivity in water and sanitation management is also an important concern, where all stakeholders and local communities are involved in the decision-making process and policy implementation. These issues continue to be a focus in various forums to encourage sustainable and inclusive solutions in facing global water challenges.
In his speech, President Jokowi conveyed that at the meeting in Bali today, Indonesia as the host hopes that the world can join hands on an ongoing basis to strengthen the commitment to collaboration in overcoming global challenges related to water.
Since the beginning of its presence in various international forums, Indonesia has consistently pushed for water issues to be raised to the highest level. The country understands the importance of water as a vital resource and fundamental need for humans. Therefore, strong encouragement from policy makers is needed to ensure that water issues receive the attention they deserve at the global level.
Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Firdaus Ali stated that Indonesia is not only determined to make the 10th WWF a success, but also encourages outputs and outcomes to be executed by countries in the world at the project level and real action in the field.
The World Water Forum in Bali is an important step towards a more sustainable future. With the challenges the world faces regarding water, this forum is an opportunity to bring together stakeholders and work together to create solutions. Water is the source of life. Water is also a symbol of balance and harmony. But if not managed properly, water can also be a source of disaster.
From discussion to implementation, the World Water Forum is the starting point for real action that can overcome the global water crisis and the impacts of climate change.
With collaboration and innovation, challenges can be overcome, and opportunities for a better future are wide open. The World Water Forum is a new direction for water sustainability, and WWF is a historic moment for the global community working together for a more sustainable future.