Indonesia Praised for Successfully Hosting 10th World Water Forum
- VIVA.co.id/Natania Longdong
Bali – Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), Basuki Hadimuljono closed the 10th World Water Forum, at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday (May 24).
The minister said the entire agenda proposed by Indonesia was successfully achieved. Even the number of participants also exceeded expectations, which initially was around 46 thousand people and then increased to 64 thousand.
However, Minister Hadimuljono who is also the Daily Chairperson of the 10th World Water Forum, stated that the work has not been completed and there are still many things that must be improved.
The various commitments produced must also be followed up with concrete steps, and a strong sense of ownership.
For the first time in the history of the World Water Forum, the Ministerial Declaration includes a Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions, which includes 113 water and sanitation projects worth US$ 9.4 billion (IDR150.3 trillion) with 33 countries and 53 international organizations as supporters, donors, and beneficiaries of water and sanitation.
“The compendium launched at this ministerial meeting must be realized in order to provide benefits to the community,” the minister remarked.
Furthermore, Minister Hadimuljono also emphasized the importance of increasing synergy between stakeholders.
World Water Forum ke-10, Bali.
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Water supply and sanitation challenges also require a holistic and cross-sectoral approach. He invited each country to contribute according to their respective capabilities.
“In the global water agenda, every country must be part of the solution through collaboration and complementarity, not through competition,” the minister stated.
The 10th World Water Forum produced a Ministerial Declaration that provides a clear direction amid global challenges.
Indonesia's proposal for World Lake Day was also included, as well as the establishment of a Center of Excellence for water and climate resilience, mainstreaming integrated water resources management in small islands. Various other initiatives also complement the UN Water Action Agenda.
The week-long forum in Bali was unique in that it brought together all stakeholders related to the water agenda ranging from governments, parliamentarians, international organizations, NGOs, the private sector, and youth.
Indonesia also encouraged the role of youth to contribute to research and innovation, as well as the important role of youth in the water sector by awarding the “Bali Youth Water Prize” at the next World Water Forum.
“I believe this award to encourage the young generation as agents of change,” Minister Hadimuljono concluded.
