PJ Governor Of Bali Reveals Water Governance At The Second WWF Meeting Ahead Of WWF

Acting Governor of Bali Province Sang Made Mahendra Jaya. (IST)

Ahead of the implementation of The 10th World Water Forum (WWF) on May 18-24, 2024, the 2nd Stakeholders Consultation Meeting (SCM) was held on October 12, 2023. Bali was again appointed as the location for the 2nd SCM as well as the host of the upcoming WWF.

Acting Governor of Bali Province Sang Made Mahendra Jaya expressed his gratitude for the trust of the World Water Council to make Bali the host. He considered it an honor.

"The appointment of Bali as the host of WWF is an honor for the people and the Bali Provincial Government. This kind of forum is very important and strategic as a forum for sharing knowledge and understanding of all scientists and practitioners as an effort to find solutions to water issues," Mahendra said during the Opening of The 2nd SCM at the Intercontinental Hotel Bali Resort, Jimbaran, Badung Regency, Bali Province on October 12.

Water is important for us, especially the Balinese people. Mahendra explained that water resources in Bali have been used to meet the needs of the community, both for agriculture, tourism, and close to religious life, which predominantly embrace Hinduism.

Our lives cannot be separated from water, especially Balinese people who have a cultural heritage that glorifies water as a source of life. By maintaining water balance both in Bhuana Agung (makrokosmos) and in Bhuana Alit (microkosmos)," added Mahendra. He also hopes that the forum will not only function to facilitate knowledge exchange but also to improve innovative technology, especially in irrigation systems to ensure global water and food security.

On this occasion, he also invited all participants to take the time to visit tourist destinations and witness the traditional life of Balinese people and the beauty of the Subak landscape.

Mahendra also showed a video showing how Balinese people maintain water sustainability. Water is always present in various aspects of people's lives, so it is so important to maintain the glory of water.

The Balinese people use water as part of the breath of life and culture that can be seen from two sides. Namely water as a circle of life, because where there is water, life is harmonious and cool as a blessing of life," he explained.

Hindus in Bali strongly believe in the sacredness of water. On the other hand, if the water is not maintained properly, Mahendra will remind him of the disaster that awaits. Thus, the sustainability and glory of water needs to be maintained.

The choice of Bali as the host of the 10th WWF meeting cannot be separated from the water management culture in Bali known as Subak. Subak is a water management system recognized as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Also attending the 2nd Opening Ceremony Stakeholders Consultation Meeting (SCM), namely the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of BMKG

Dwikorita Karnawati, Director General of IKP KOMINFO Usman Kansong, Representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and a number of international organizations.

Raising the theme 'Water for Shared Prosperity' or 'Air for the Common Prosperity', the 10th WWF Meeting targets 30,000 participants from 172 countries.

WWF is the largest international meeting activity in the water sector which is held every three years by involving various stakeholders. Bali was officially decided to host the 9th WWF in Dakar, Senegal on March 19, 2022, with 30 out of a total of 36 votes from the Board of Governors (Board of Governors) of the World Water Council.

The implementation of The 2nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting (SCM) in Bali is a continuation of the Kick Off Meeting or The 1st Stakeholders Meeting (SCM) in February 2023. Through the thematic, political and regional processes that take place, it is hoped that further discussions and ideas will emerge at the World Water Forum in 2024.