VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Jokowi when opening the High-Level Meeting of the 10^th World Water Forum attended by 48 countries and international organizations in Bali, on Monday, 20 May (Photo : Infopublik.id) -

VOInews, Bali : Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo emphasized the crucial role of water in human life. Problematic water management, in addition to slowing economic growth, also has the potential to trigger war and become a source of disaster. Therefore, Indonesia is advancing four concrete initiatives at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali on 18-25 May 2024.

“Too much water and too little water both can be a problem for the world,” said President Jokowi when opening the High-Level Meeting of the 10^th World Water Forum attended by 48 countries and international organizations in Bali, on Monday, 20 May.

For the first time since the World Water Forum was held, world water issues were discussed at the head-of-state level or at a High-Level Meeting.

In the past decade, Indonesia has bolstered its water infrastructure by constructing 42 dams, developing 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks, building 2,156 km of flood control and coastal security, and rehabilitating 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks.

Indonesia has also constructed the largest floating solar power plant in Southeast Asia at the Cirata Reservoir.

President Jokowi emphasized that the 10th World Water Forum is crucial for revitalizing concrete action and joint commitment to realize integrated water resources management.

Indonesia has consistently advocated several things including increasing solidarity and inclusiveness to find joint solutions, particularly for small island nations and those facing water scarcity.

Indonesia also promotes hydro-diplomacy to foster concrete and innovative cooperation, while avoiding competition in the transboundary water resources management.

Strengthening political leadership is crucial for Indonesia's success in achieving sustainable water security through various collaborations.

President Joko Widodo revealed four new initiatives promoted by Indonesia at the 10th World Water Forum. These initiatives included 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,” President Joko Widodo concluded//VOI

Indonesian President Joko Widodo shoke hands with World Water Council President Loic Fauchon after opening the ceremony at Bali International Convention Center on Monday (20/05/24) (Photo : Infopublik.id) - 

VOInews, Bali : Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened the High-Level Meeting of the 10^th World Water Forum at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Bali, on Monday morning, 20 May.

President Jokowi stated that countries worldwide should use the largest global water forum as momentum to revitalize real action and joint commitment to water by sharing knowledge, encouraging innovative solutions, and implementing integrated water resources management.

“It aims to strengthen commitment and formulate real actions related to inclusive and sustainable water management,” Jokowi said.

The President also emphasized water’s crucial and central role in human life. Water’s importance is so great that it is often referred to as the next oil of the future.

From the economic perspective, President Jokowi said that water shortages could slow economic growth by up to 6 percent by 2050.

Therefore, before the participants of the 10th World Water Forum, President Jokowi revealed that in the last 10 years, Indonesia has strengthened its water infrastructure by building 42 dams and 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks; rehabilitating 43 million hectares of irrigation networks; and constructing 2,156 kilometers of flood control and coastal protection.

Indonesia also utilizes water resources by building the Ciatra Floating Solar Power Plant (PLTS). The PLTS is the largest in Southeast Asia.

“But all these efforts are not enough. Water and sanitation problems will become increasingly serious in the future. These efforts must be strengthened at the global level, involving the state, the private sector, and civil society. The 10th World Water Forum is a strategic step to take real action and to make a joint commitment to realize integrated water resources management,” the President said.

According to the President, Indonesia has consistently pushed for three things at the forum. First, it aims to enhance the principles of solidarity and inclusiveness to address common challenges, especially for small island countries that experience water scarcity.

The second is empowering hydro-diplomacy for concrete and innovative cooperation according to the needs of recipient countries while preventing competition in managing cross-border water resources based on international law. 

The third is strengthening political leadership as the key to the success of various forms of cooperation toward sustainable water security.

For those reasons, Indonesia has adopted four new initiatives, namely the establishment of World Lake Day; the establishment of the Center of Excellence in the Asia Pacific Region for water and climate security; sustainable water management in small island countries, and the promotion of water projects to ensure political commitment, translating our words into tangible action.

“Water is more than just a natural resource, it’s a collaborative force that binds us together and unites us. Preserving water is our collective responsibility,” President Jokowi concluded in his remarks.

Previously, World Water Council President Loïc Fauchon encouraged the heads of state and delegations present to incorporate the right to water into the constitutions, laws, and regulations of their respective countries. He emphasized that this step would expedite the achievement of justice for access to water and sanitation worldwide.

“So, step by step, we can advocate for the right to access water to be upheld for everyone,” he said.

On that occasion, Loïc Fauchon announced that his organization would introduce the "Money for Water" coalition at the upcoming United Nations conference and extend invitations to all countries to join. The coalition aims to address sub-sovereignty and water debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries.

“We aim to ensure that majority climate funding is primarily dedicated to water, including wastewater,” he stated.

In concluding his remarks, Loïc Fauchon also called on international action to ensure more active and decentralized governance based on multilateral cooperation.

“As we do in this forum, it is also important to strengthen mediation rules for rivers, lakes, and watersheds. Water diplomacy brings peace to the shores, instead of bringing war to the river,” he added.

Apart from that, hydro-diplomacy represents a concrete and innovative approach to managing cross-border water resources.

As an outcome of the forum, a ministerial declaration will be ratified, incorporating three of Indonesia's national interests, namely proposing World Lakes Day, establishing a Center of Excellence for Water and Climate Security, and advocating for integrated water resources management on small islands.

In addition to opening the High-Level Meeting, President Jokowi is also scheduled to visit Tahura Ngurah Rai, Bali, accompanied by state leaders and delegates from the 10^th World Water Forum//VOI

Indonesian Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, when he was appointed as Honorary Ambassador of the Asia Water Council (AWC) on World Water Forum the 10th Miniterial meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali (Photo : Infopublik.id) - 

VOInews, Bali : Indonesian Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, has been appointed as Honorary Ambassador of the Asia Water Council (AWC). This appointment was announced at the 20th Board of Council Meeting at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) 1, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sunday, 19 May.

"I was surprised and did not expect that I would be chosen as an honorary ambassador of AWC," said Minister Basuki.

An honorary ambassador is an individual with social achievements able to contribute to the mission and vision of AWC, especially to increase cooperation among AWC members and partners, implement medium and long-term development plans, as well as develop and revitalize water projects.

Basuki also revealed that as of Saturday evening, 18 May, the number of registrants wishing to attend the 10th World Water Forum had reached 20,121 people. Meanwhile, the total number of participants, including those participating in events related to the 10th World Water Forum was estimated to reach 46,000 people.

Indonesia's infrastructure development objective is to ensure the sustainability of clean water and sanitation for all people. It aims to address urbanization, climate change, and a continuously growing population.

"Over the past 10 years, Indonesia has embarked on an ambitious initiative to expand access to drinking water and improve safe sanitation facilities across the region," he said.

Through strategic investments and innovative approaches, Indonesia has also succeeded in expanding and increasing access to clean water for many communities//VOI

Police patrol the Nusa Dua area, Badung, Bali, Friday (10/5/2024). The tourism area managed by the InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has prepared various facilities and infrastructure as well as security support while being the location for the 10th World Water Forum on 18-25 May. BETWEEN PHOTOS/Fikri Yusuf/Spt - 

VOInews, Jakarta : President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is confirmed to be present at the opening of the world's largest water forum meeting or the 10th World Water Forum which will be held on 18-25 May 2024 in Nusa Dua, Bali.

This was stated by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in Badung Bali, Tuesday (14/5/2024).

As a commitment to addressing water and sanitation issues, Indonesia at the 10th World Water Forum will also realize cooperation with the government of the United Arab Emirates, namely groundbreaking the construction of the Mangrove Research Center or International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC) on Turtle Island.

“The President will attend. The event details are also all ready. "Later, there will also be a groundbreaking on Turtle Island," said Luhut.

Luhut also revealed that President Jokowi and Elon Musk, who were also present at the World Water Forum, would also inaugurate the Starlink satellite-based internet service, Sunday (19/5/2024). This service will reach all regions in Indonesia, especially disadvantaged, frontier and outermost areas (3T).

"Elon Musk will also speak at the opening of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali," said Luhut.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday (17/05/24), Indonesia is the third country in Asia after Japan and South Korea to be chosen to host the 10th World Water Forum. This water forum will present three main processes, namely thematic, regional and political, as well as six sub-themes which are in line with the results of discussions at the World Water Conference in New York in 2023//VOI