By : Khalilah Nafisah )*
Ahead of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali on 18-25 May 2024, preparations to welcome participants from all over the world continue to be finalized. The Central Government, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are working together with a number of parties to ensure this event is a success. Hundreds of delegates are expected to attend, thorough preparation is essential to keep the event running smoothly and provide the best experience to participants.
Bali was chosen as the venue for the World Water Forum with the theme ‘Water for Shared Prosperity’ or “Water For Shared Prosperity”, because of its natural beauty and rich culture.
The Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Bali Province, Dewa Made Indra, explained that the implementation of WWF in Bali is an international trust for the success of various international events held in Bali.
Bali Governor SM Mahendra Jaya revealed that the Bali Provincial Government will hold a separate event entitled ‘BALI NICE’ to show the delegation that Bali has a culture of glorifying water through implementation. ‘BALI NICE’ will be demonstrated with the Segara Kerthi ceremony along with rituals and cultural performances at the Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID) Beach area to coincide with the Tumpek Uye celebration, May 18 2024. The purpose of this ceremony is to ask for God’s grace so that the sea is clean in a nutshell for harmonious ecosystems in the sea.
Deputy Chair of the Secretariat of the 10th World Water Forum National Committee who is also Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) for Technology, Industry and the Environment, Endra S. Atmawidjaja said the World Water Forum was a golden opportunity for Indonesia to have a big influence on the direction policy in the water sector.
Secretary of the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) Setya Utama stated that preparations for the 10th World Water Forum are increasingly mature, with a focus on providing the best facilities and services for guests. The Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) was chosen as the main venue for the event, offering adequate infrastructure and a strategic location.
Apart from that, Bali also has advantages in terms of natural beauty and attractive tourist destinations. Forum participants will have the opportunity to explore the island and enjoy the unique local culture, hopefully providing a memorable experience while promoting Bali as a tourism destination and international event.
Setya Utama emphasized that Indonesia is ready to welcome guests to the 10th World Water Forum with hospitality and cultural richness. Indonesian hospitality is widely known, and the government wants to ensure that participants feel warmly welcomed during the event. Preparations include providing accommodation, transportation, and other facilities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests.
Chair of Division V of the 10th World Water Forum Fair and Expo who is also the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, also highlighted the richness of Indonesian culture which will be an important part of the World Water Forum.
Cultural performances, art exhibitions and other events will be prepared to introduce Indonesian cultural heritage to participants, providing an opportunity to show the uniqueness and diversity of Indonesian culture while promoting tourism.
The 10th World Water Forum has a busy schedule with various themes and series of events designed to discuss important issues related to water and sanitation. This forum will present 290 sessions or parallel events discussing various topics, such as water security, disaster risk reduction, water governance, regional cooperation and technological innovation. With so many sessions and a variety of themes, participants can choose the event that is most relevant to their interests and expertise.
The forum also includes high-level discussions with state leaders and ministers, as well as events involving stakeholders from various sectors. Delegates had the opportunity to discuss and share experiences, as well as develop knowledge and best practices in water and sanitation governance.
Preparations for the World Water Forum include not only cultural aspects and themes, but also logistics and security. The Indonesian government is working closely with local authorities to ensure that all aspects of logistics run smoothly, including providing transportation for participants, traffic management and security management during the event. Security is a top priority, and steps have been taken to ensure the safety of guests and the smooth running of the event.
With thorough preparation and good coordination between various parties, the 10th World Water Forum in Bali is expected to be a successful and memorable event. Participants will certainly have the opportunity to discuss important issues related to water and sanitation, as well as enjoy the beauty and richness of Balinese culture. This event is also an opportunity for Indonesia to show its hospitality and commitment to environmental and sustainability issues.
Hosting gives Indonesia the opportunity to promote best practices and innovation in water management, as well as providing opportunities to strengthen international relations and open new avenues of collaboration.
)* The author is a youth activist
