Jakarta – President Joko Widodo emphasised a number of important agendas that must be prioritised in the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, including conservation efforts and availability of clean water. The 10th World Water Forum (WWF) which will be held in Bali on 18-24 May 2024 will carry the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity”. The World Water Forum is the largest cross-border forum in the world that focuses on discussing water issues and seeking global solutions as answers to these issues.
In his remarks at the kick off meeting at the international forum in Bali, President Widodo said that the conservation of water resources has become an urgent issue for the world. Global water demand has increased sharply, in line with population and industrial growth. Meanwhile, the availability of quality and sustainable water is increasingly difficult due to environmental degradation and climate change.
“Water conservation, availability of clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters such as floods and droughts must be prioritised,” Widodo said in a written statement issued by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Furthermore, he said these agendas also require a lot of innovation, especially innovative financing involving the government and the private sector related to technological innovation to manage food and energy consumption needs, as well as the commitment of all parties to contribute and work together.
On the same occasion the Minister of Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono said, the kick off meeting of the 10th World Water Forum was the first meeting for stakeholders in water resources management.
This meeting aims to provide important information, mobilise and involve various stakeholders in the forum process for the next 13 months until the WWF forum begins. Through this kick-off meeting, there are six main issues of water resources that will be discussed. First, water for humans and nature. Second, water safety and welfare. Then, disaster risk reduction and management, cooperation and hydro-diplomacy, innovative water and finance, as well as knowledge and innovation.
Measurable discussion of these six issues will be carried out through political processes, thematic processes, and regional processes which need to be discussed immediately to find solutions, innovations, and immediate implementation action plans going forward.
“We have to prepare for the next World Water Forum which will be held in Bali next year and together in the coordination process, we try to provide new solutions, new responses that will allow us to increase access to water for billions of people,” he said.
The 10th World Water Forum will be an arena for various stakeholders from various countries to share experiences and innovations in responding to various challenges in global water management. (Hartatik)
