DENPASAR – President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo emphasized the important role of water in human life. Problematic water management, apart from slowing economic growth, also has the potential to trigger war and become a source of disaster. Therefore, Indonesia is pushing for four concrete initiatives at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali.
“Too much water or too little water, both can be a problem for the world,” said President Joko Widodo when opening the 10th World Water Forum High Level Meeting, which was attended by 48 countries and international organizations in Bali,
“For the first time since the World Water Forum was held, world water issues were discussed at the head of state level or High Level Meeting.
In the last 10 years, Indonesia has strengthened water infrastructure by building 42 dams, 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks, 2,156 km of flood control and coastal protection, as well as rehabilitating 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks.
Indonesia has also built a floating solar power plant (PLTS) in the Cirata Reservoir, making it the largest floating solar power plant in Southeast Asia.
President Joko Widodo emphasized that the 10th World Water Forum was very strategic in revitalizing real action and joint commitment in realizing integrated water resources management.
Three things that Indonesia has consistently pushed for include, firstly, increasing the principles of solidarity and inclusiveness to achieve joint solutions, especially for small island countries and those experiencing water scarcity.
Indonesia also encourages the empowerment of hydro-diplomacy for concrete and innovative cooperation, avoiding competition in managing cross-border water resources.
For Indonesia, strengthening political leadership is the key to the success of various collaborations towards sustainable water security.
President Joko Widodo also revealed four new initiatives promoted by Indonesia at the 10th World Water Forum, namely the establishment of World Lake Day, the establishment of a Center of Excellence in the Asia Pacific, sustainable water management in small island countries and the promotion of water projects.
“Water is not just a natural product, but a product of collaboration that unites us, so joint efforts are needed to protect it,” concluded President Joko Widodo.
