By: Davina G
Indonesia is believed to have a big influence on decision making and water management policies for the global interest. The 10th World Water Forum (WWF) on 18-25 May 2024 in Bali is also a momentum to ensure that the whole world moves together to maintain the sustainability of water resources for human life.
This was confirmed by the Deputy Chair of the 10th WWF National Committee Secretariat and Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) for Technology, Industry and the Environment, Endra S. Atmawidjaja. Endra said that since the beginning at various forums, Indonesia has consistently pushed for water issues to be discussed at the highest level, and there must also be strong encouragement from policy makers.
Indonesia is bringing three special missions to be agreed upon at the WWF meeting in Bali later. The three missions are the Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience, mainstream integrated water management in small islands, and routine World Lake Days activities. This is important to discuss because lakes are a source of raw materials, energy, and even control of natural flood disasters.
Then, the 10th WWF has three main processes, namely political, regional and thematic processes where all three will involve various stakeholders ranging from state leaders, ministers, regional leaders, academics, researchers, to the younger generation who will exchange ideas and experience.
It is known that there were 230 thematic forum sessions, 55 side events, and 10 special sessions at this event. Apart from that, the Indonesian Government also invited a number of heads of state, heads of international institutions, and ministers or ministerial level who will be responsible for water resources issues.
Furthermore, Expert Staff to the Minister of PUPR for Water Resources, Firdaus Ali, said that the 10th WWF discussed various crucial issues related to water and advanced hydro diplomacy, namely a diplomatic approach that focuses on water-related issues and prioritizes persuasive dialogue with solutions.
This includes handling related to water resource management, equitable distribution of water, mitigating water-related disasters, and cross-border cooperation and financing that provide mutual benefits related to water. Indonesia will encourage water diplomacy as a tool to prioritize and promote dialogue, cooperation and joint solutions regarding water issues at the local, regional and global levels.
According to Firdaus Ali, through hydro diplomacy, Indonesia is trying to facilitate dialogue between countries by sharing knowledge, technology and experience related to water resources management, as well as encouraging building synergistic cooperation in efforts to resolve water-related conflicts in various regions.
Furthermore, building capacity in sustainable and inclusive water resources management, encouraging investment and new technology in efficient and sustainable water management, and strengthening regional and global cooperation in resolving water-related conflicts and achieving water-related sustainable development goals (SDGs).
One of the goals in the SDGs adopted by the UN is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of clean water and sanitation for all elements of society, and this goal must be achieved by 2030. Firdaus Ali said that this water problem is not a problem of rich countries or poor countries, because water does not recognize administrative problems, but is a global problem that must be handled together.
Indonesia is of course very committed to playing an active role in supporting water-related solutions at the global level. Through its participation in WWF, Indonesia hopes to strengthen collaboration between countries and advance the global water agenda for shared prosperity.
By raising the mission to make water a source of community welfare in the World Water Forum or WWF 2024, the Government sees the many global water challenges such as scarcity, pollution and natural disasters due to climate change, Indonesia wants to make water a solution to these problems and not a source of conflict .
In addition, the mission of this forum is to encourage innovative thinking in overcoming current issues and problems in water resources management, as well as increasing the commitment and action of policy makers in managing and developing sustainable water resources.
At the upcoming WWF 2024 event, the topics discussed will cover various aspects such as sustainable water resource management, access to clean water and sanitation, climate change adaptation to water resources, as well as social and economic issues related to water. This forum also provides an opportunity for countries and the international community to collaborate to make WWF a success through concrete solutions to answer the water challenges facing the world today.
Firdaus Ali added that Indonesia wants to emphasize the important role of water in the lives of not only humans, but also all living creatures. The WWF Forum in Bali will be a monumental meeting to transform all policies, to jointly face the future of making water a source of life, growth and peace.
It is hoped that the successful holding of the 10th WWF in Bali will create various innovations, knowledge and new ideas to overcome water problems globally.
)* The author is an environmental observer at the Batavia Young Literacy Forum
