By: Ali Syahputra )*
Indonesia has gained international trust to host the 10th WWF, which will be held in Bali from 18-25 May. A number of heads of state gathered in Bali, and were warmly welcomed with a Gala Dinner by President Joko Widodo on the evening of May 19.
Of course, Indonesia is also known for its international gala dinner events which always look magnificent and beautiful. This time too, as the first country in Southeast Asia to hold WWF, Indonesia took advantage of this opportunity to promote its cultural heritage at a Gala Dinner at GWK Cultural Park. Don’t forget that the smoothness and luxury of this Gala Dinner cannot be separated from Indonesia’s commitment to creating a safe and clean environment.
GWK Cultural Park Operations Director, Stefanus Yonathan Astayasa said that his party is very committed to providing a supportive environment, in terms of safety, cleanliness and beauty. So that the delegates felt comfortable and focused on discussing sustainable actions in protecting the world’s water resources.
Throughout the history of human civilization, water has always been a vital element that plays a central role in life. The availability of sufficient water is not only important for meeting basic human needs, but also for maintaining the sustainability of the environment and ecosystems, including marine and fisheries. Understanding the complexity of challenges and opportunities in water resources management, the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) Summit in Bali has become a crucial platform for international partnerships in efforts to protect and empower the world’s water resources.
WWF’s history as a global forum fighting for sustainable water use has involved active participation from various parties, including countries, international organizations, academics and civil society. Through a series of activities and discussions, the 10th WWF in Bali aims to strengthen public awareness of the importance of water resources and encourage real action to maintain water sustainability for shared prosperity.
UNICEF Indonesia WASH/Water, Hygiene and Sanitation Specialist, Salathiel Nali said the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is pushing issues related to achieving the goal of universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) by 2030 in the World Water Forum. /WWF) 2024.
The forum was attended by delegations at the level of heads of state and international organizations, the 10th WWF was a highly anticipated event and had great potential to reach global agreement on the protection and empowerment of water resources. The presence of Heads of State, Deputy Prime Ministers, special envoys, Ministers, Senior Officials and Heads of International Organizations shows the high commitment of various parties to handle water issues comprehensively.
In the period from 18 to 25 May 2024, the 10th WWF held 283 sessions with various topics covering key issues in water resources management. From political sessions to special sessions for youth, WWF’s 10th agenda provides an inclusive platform for various stakeholders to share experiences, knowledge and ideas in finding the best solutions to global water challenges.
However, the success of the 10th WWF depends not only on the number of sessions or participants, but more on the substance and implementation of its results. In this case, it needs to be emphasized that international partnerships must be at the center of every discussion and decision taken in this forum. Cross-border collaboration is key in facing water challenges that are increasingly complex and cut across various sectors.
One of the important aspects of the 10th WWF is the discussion of six main sub-themes, which include Water Security and Prosperity, Water for Humans and Nature, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Disaster Risk), Governance, Cooperation and Hydro-diplomacy (Governance, Cooperation and Hydro-diplomacy), Sustainable Water Finance (Water Sustainable Finance), and Knowledge and Innovation (Knowledge and Innovation).
Water security refers to the ability to access clean water in sufficient quantities and quality to meet basic human needs, including consumption, sanitation and agriculture. Then, Water for Humans and Nature is a concept reflecting recognition of the dependence of humans and ecosystems on clean and sustainable water, involving research on interactions between humans and the environment, including the impact of human activities on water ecosystems, as well as strategies for ensuring that human water needs are met without compromising the sustainability of water ecosystems.
At Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) the forum discussed efforts to identify, evaluate and reduce risks related to natural disasters related to water. Furthermore, Governance, Cooperation and Hydro-diplomacy is a topic that includes the study of institutional structures and regulations that regulate water resources management at the local, national and international levels.
Sustainable Water Finance includes a study of the funding sources needed to finance investment in sustainable water infrastructure. The Knowledge and Innovation concept includes research on the latest scientific knowledge and technology in the field of water resources management, including the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for water monitoring, development of water desalination technology, and innovation in ecosystem-based water management.
The implementation of the 10th WWF is an important momentum to realize improvements in water governance globally. Therefore, joint support is needed to make this event a success.
)* The author is an academic in the field of maritime affairs and fisheries.