VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono (left), hands over the World Water Council flag to Saudi Arabia, which will host the 11th World Water Forum, in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday (May 24, 2024). (Photo by: ANTARA/Putu Indah/rst) 

VOINews, Jakarta: Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono representing Indonesia, handed over the baton to the next host of the World Water Forum to Saudi Arabia on Friday.

"I hereby declare that the 10th World Water Forum is officially closed," he said in his speech at the 10th World Water Forum's closing ceremony in Bali on Friday.

Though the event has ended, the joint work is still not finished, the minister added.

He said that many things need to be improved, including the importance of continuing various concrete actions formulated at the forum.

"The various commitments in this forum must be followed by real action," he emphasized.

He said that the compendium of 113 projects worth US$9.4 billion, which was issued along with the ministerial declaration on May 21, 2024, must be realized to provide benefits to the public.

He also drew attention to the importance of increasing synergy between stakeholders, considering that water problems are related to climate change issues.

As reported by Antara, On the occasion, Deputy Minister of Water, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz Alshaibani said that the 11th World Water Forum would be a joint step to realize better access to water in the future.

Alshaibani added that his country is trying to link the World Water Forum with other water forums, ensure close connectivity in the world water agenda, and promote togetherness in tackling world water issues.

"Let us remain committed to protecting our precious water sources," he remarked.

Indonesia has officially closed the 10th World Water Forum. The forum resulted in a ministerial declaration containing 16 points of agreement, three of them on Indonesia's priority agenda.

The first of the three points was the establishment of a Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Security to develop capacity and utilize superior facilities.

The second pertained to the mainstreaming of water management issues for developing countries on small islands. Even though it is surrounded by water, Indonesia still needs a proper management system to overcome the challenges of clean water quality and availability.

The third was the designation of a World Lakes Day since lakes are a source of water that supports humans and also have social and economic functions.// Antara/VOI