Indonesia Strengthens Collaboration Between Countries in Overcoming Water Crisis Issues at WWF 2024
Jakarta — The 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali carries a collaborative agenda to create equitable shared prosperity in meeting the water needs of society globally.
Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Basuki Hadimuljono, said that currently water is under threat, both due to climate change and increasing world population growth. According to United Nations (UN) data, the world population has now reached around eight billion.
“Now, countries are tired of competition. So, they all want to collaborate. “That’s why, we at WWF bring the fighting spirit of south-south cooperation,” said Basuki.
According to him, threats to water have created injustice between countries with abundant water supplies and countries with minimal water. Under these conditions, political decisions are needed from world leaders to support joint efforts to realize prosperity in providing water and discuss regional water management in the regions of Africa, America, Asia Pacific and the Mediterranean.
“I would like to suggest that we discuss water management later, considering that in Bali some time ago the Archipelagic and Island State (AIS) Summit was held, this is very unique. “Later, WWF 2024 will produce concrete solutions, including cooperation between governments and between business actors in providing water,” he added.
The President of the World Water Council (WWC), Loic Fauchon, also conveyed a similar sentiment that political commitment and collaboration from world leaders is needed regarding better access to water amidst the threat of climate change and poverty.
“We need to save water for collective prosperity,” he said.
Through this forum the Government is trying to build collaborative governance to make the 2024 World Water Forum a success.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of State Secretariat, Eddy Cahyono Sugiharto, said that all parties must jointly support this forum, because it is a strategic forum that will bring many benefits to both Indonesia and the participating countries.
“Students are expected to be able to actively participate in side events and youth forums which are a series of international forum activities to communicate strategic issues related to water problems. “This is also expected to increase engagement and public trust in the programs and policies carried out by the Government,” he said.
The government has so far been late in participating in utilizing water resources for shared prosperity through three pillars and a solid foundation.
“Water resources management aims to realize sustainable water benefits for the prosperity of the people by optimizing three pillars, namely conservation of water resources, controlling the destructive power of water, and utilization of water resources. These three pillars are becoming stronger with the presence of information systems and empowerment and supervision. “Thus, all parties must support the implementation of WWF 2024 in order to achieve a joint commitment to strengthen comprehensive management in the future,” he concluded.
