Jakarta—Indonesia continues to encourage initiatives based on solidarity with countries around the world to overcome water problems that are a global threat today. This solidarity is inspired by the spirit of the Asian-African Conference or the Bandung Spirit.
The joint action has proven effective in helping many countries in difficult times and providing resilience, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic or mega disasters, including hydrological disasters.
“Next year on the 70th anniversary (of the Asian-African Conference), world leaders will gather together and discuss important agendas including peace, regional stability, global economy and markets, food crises, climate change, crisis management in handling pandemics and mega disasters, and social justice through water,” said Minister of Public Works and Public Housing who is also the Daily Chair of the 10th World Water Forum Basuki Hadimuljono in a high-level panel session entitled Global South Cooperation: Bandung Spirit Water Summit, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC).
He said Bandung Spirit is very relevant to water and disaster issues that still occur, especially in countries with low and middle economic levels.
As Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasised in the previous opening, joint collaboration can be interpreted as three basic principles: avoiding competition and encouraging equity, promoting inclusive cooperation, including the use of innovative technology and financing, and promoting peace and shared prosperity.
“Indonesia will promote within the framework of South-South Cooperation, namely three proposals on the agenda of the UN water conference,” continued Minister Basuki.
The three proposals in the form of ministerial declarations are the proposal for World Lake Day, the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Water and Climate Resilience, and a commitment to raise the issue of integrated water resources management on small islands.
Bandung Spirit Water Summit, in the 10th World Water Forum session, presented a number of policy makers and leaders of world organizations. The real action of Bandung Spirit through cooperation in the field of water discussed is summarized in five steps: water and peace, climate change and disaster risk management, water and sanitation for all, funding and management of the water sector and all the foundations of, for and by the younger generation.
The Bandung Spirit Water Summit panel session was also attended by speakers, including President of World Water Council Loic Fauchon, Chair of High-Level Experts and Leaders on Water and Disasters (HELP) and former Prime Minister of South Korea DR Han Seung-Soo, President of Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa, and Chair of UN-Water Alvaro Lario. (Hartatik)
