Jakarta—The Bandung Spirit Water Summit on May 21, 2024, focuses on the global collaborative spirit in finding solutions to water problems in small and outer islands. The event is part of the 10th World Water Forum series, which will take place in Nusa Dua, Bali, from May 18 to 25, 2024.
The Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) and the Daily Chairman of the National Organizing Committee of the 10th World Water Forum, Basuki Hadimuljono, together with the Chairman of the High-Level Experts and Leaders Panel (HELP), Han Seung-soo, former Prime Minister of Korea, opened The Bandung Spirit Water Summit.
Minister Basuki emphasized the importance of integrated water resources management in the smallest and outermost islands to face the challenges of climate change and sea level rise. “Water resources management faces challenges such as disaster management regulations, data collection and analysis, as well as capacity building and coordination between stakeholders,” Basuki said during the 23rd High-Level Experts and Leaders Panel (HELP) on Water and Disasters at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Sunday, May 19.
The Indonesian government established the Center of Excellence on Water Resources Resilience and Climate Change. The centre aims to formulate the integration of environmental and socio-economic aspects in dealing with climate change. “Networking and cooperation between stakeholders consisting of government, private sector, and academia are needed to become a centre for technology development, capacity building, and the application of effective solutions to climate change and water resources challenges that are sustainable and inclusive,” Basuki added.
Professor Kenzo Hiroki, the HELP Coordinator from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), emphasized the importance of this forum in elevating and pushing the discussion of water issues to the political platform of solidarity and shared prosperity.
“The Bandung Spirit Water Summit will be a new political corridor to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through water. In this forum, leaders of countries, international organizations, experts, and stakeholders will dialogue and produce The Spirit of Bandung: a call to action,” said Kenzo.
The event will formulate proposals and concrete actions with five main focuses: water and peace, climate change and disaster risk reduction, sanitation and water for all, finance and governance, and youth. Bandung Spirit refers to the collaborative spirit of the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference that emphasized mutually beneficial cooperation.
Basuki previously voiced the spirit of Bandung Spirit on various occasions, including at the 21st HELP on Water and Disasters in Madrid in 2023.
“The spirit of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung will be the foundation of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali in 2024, not only as a philosophical foundation but also as the basic concept of the forum,” Basuki said. (Hartatik)
