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JAKARTA - The Indonesian government invites the Netherlands to strengthen strategic cooperation in water processing and management as an effort to face various environmental challenges, ranging from floods to clean water crises.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) emphasized that Indonesia is open to collaboration that includes investment, technological innovation, to the exchange of knowledge in the water sector.

"Indonesia welcomes investment, innovation, and exchange of knowledge with the Netherlands in the sector of intelligent water management, including research cooperation to prepare the next generation of engineers," said AHY in a celebration of the Dutch King's Day, quoted by Antara, Friday, April 24.

AHY said the Netherlands is an important partner because it has experience and advanced technology in water treatment, dam construction, canals, and integrated flood control and water resources management systems.

According to him, the cooperation that has been running so far has shown concrete results, such as coastal restoration projects and mangrove restoration in Demak and the northern coast of Java which help overcome land subsidence, flooding, and water scarcity.

In addition, collaboration also includes river basin restoration in East Java, wetland agricultural restoration in Central Kalimantan, to initiatives to reduce marine plastic pollution.

"Over the past 25 years, this cooperation has had a real impact on the community. This is a strong foundation for expanding collaboration in the future," said AHY.

The government hopes that partnerships with the Netherlands can continue to be improved, especially in the development of sustainable water treatment technology and adaptation to climate change.

Meanwhile, the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Marc Gerritsen revealed that the two countries had just signed a bilateral grant for a coastal protection pilot project in Demak and Cirebon.

The Netherlands has also launched a "green batik" initiative involving water management experts to encourage the batik industry to be more environmentally friendly, including in the processing of liquid waste.

This cooperation is expected to further strengthen the efforts of both countries in creating an efficient, sustainable, and widespread water management system for the community.