Towards the World Water Forum 2027, RI Presents Four Global Water Management Initiatives

Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has brought four initiatives in the field of water resources (SDA) as a follow-up to the results of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali towards the 11th World Water Forum which will be held in Saudi Arabia on March 21-25, 2027.

The four initiatives were conveyed by the Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo when giving a keynote speech at the 2nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting (SCM) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, June 28, as part of the series of preparations for the world water forum.

Dody said that Indonesia is committed to monitoring the various achievements of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali so that it does not stop as a political commitment, but is realized through programs that provide tangible benefits to the community.

"From Bali with the theme Water for Shared Prosperity to Riyadh with the theme Action for a Better Tomorrow, the World Water Forum must continue to build on the success that has been built. Our agreed commitments must be realized into concrete actions that provide direct benefits to the community," said Dody, quoted from an official statement, Tuesday, June 30.

Dody explained, the Declaration of the 10th World Water Forum Minister in Bali has produced a number of priority commitments to support global water sustainability.

The commitment includes the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation, integrated water resources management, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable financing, ecosystem protection, and increasing the role of the younger generation in the world's water agenda.

As a follow-up to the declaration, Indonesia brought four initiatives to the 11th World Water Forum.

The first initiative is World Lake Day which aims to increase global awareness while strengthening shared responsibility in maintaining the sustainability of lakes as a source of life.

Second, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) on Small Islands which focuses on strengthening integrated water resources management on small islands to increase water and climate resilience.

Third, Indonesia encourages the strengthening of the Center of Excellence for Water and Climate Resilience as a flagship center that serves as a platform for capacity development, knowledge exchange, innovation, and international cooperation in water resources management and sanitation.

The fourth initiative is the Water Warrior which continues the spirit of the Bali Youth Water Prize as a platform to expand the participation of the younger generation in presenting innovative solutions to future water challenges.

According to the Democratic Party politician, the world today is facing increasingly complex water management challenges.

The achievement of the 6th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to access to safe drinking water and decent sanitation is still not in line with the target.

On the other hand, climate change, increasing pressure on water resources, conflicts, and water needs due to the development of various sectors also increase these challenges.

Therefore, said Dody, strengthening international collaboration is the key to ensuring that each commitment that has been agreed upon can be realized into a real program.

"The progress of the world's water agenda is a joint effort of all nations. No one country is capable of answering this challenge alone. Therefore, international collaboration must continue to be strengthened so that each commitment can be realized into a real solution," he explained.

The Indonesian government also invites the Government of Saudi Arabia, the World Water Council, and all countries and development partners to strengthen collaboration through knowledge exchange, technology development, institutional capacity building, project preparation, and financing that support the implementation of the global water agenda.

"Our focus now is to ensure that all commitments have been agreed to be implemented programs, have measurable targets, strong institutions, and sustainable financing. Thus, the benefits can really be felt by the community," he concluded.