JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Arrmanatha Nasir said that in the midst of increasingly complex global challenges, water is the foundation of life, peace and the key to global development resilience.
This was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as his nickname, when attending the 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" 2018-2028 or the Dushanbe Water Conference 2026 (DWC2026) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 25-28 May 2026.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tata, emphasized that water resilience is an important test for sustainable development, amid still limited global access to clean water, decent sanitation, and new pressures on water supply needs from the digital industry and critical minerals.
"Water is now a strategic resource that also supports the global digital economy. If previously the conflict over the acquisition of resources focused on oil and land, in the future the global competition is expected to be increasingly related to the possession and access to water," explained Wamenlu Tata, launching the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Thursday (28/5).
Furthermore, the diplomat who had served as the Indonesian Ambassador to France and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in New York explained that the water crisis cannot be seen solely as an environmental or technical issue, but rather a multidimensional challenge involving stability, justice, and the future of global governance.
In responding to global challenges related to water issues, a multilateral system and global governance that are responsive and equitable are also needed.
The series of Dushanbe Water Conference is an initiative of the Government of Tajikistan, in cooperation with the United Nations.
The DWC2026 meeting aims to mobilize collective efforts and support the implementation of the Water Action Agenda and the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The meeting is also part of the preparation process leading up to the UN Water Conference 2026 which will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 2-4 December 2026.
The DWC2026 meeting was opened by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, who highlighted the complexity of global water challenges as well as the various challenges in achieving SDG 6 related to water and sanitation access.
DWC2026 was attended by representatives from 110 countries and 75 international organizations, including the UN Secretary-General's Envoy for Water Issues, who is also the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Retno L.P. Marsudi.
The Indonesian delegation to DWC2026 also participated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for The UNWC2026 which was held by UNESCAP on May 25, 2026.
The meeting aims to consolidate regional perspectives in efforts to accelerate SDG6 and strengthen partnerships in the Asia Pacific region towards UNWC2026.
Indonesia continues to strengthen its global leadership in water issues after hosting the 10th World Water Forum held in Nusa Dua, Bali, May 2024.
Indonesia's presence at DWC2026 confirms the importance of water and sanitation as part of a broader strategic development agenda. This is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's priorities regarding the importance of water resources management as a key to national food independence and resilience.
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