JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Arrmanatha Nasir called for strengthening cooperation to reform the United Nations (UN) to advance the implementation of commitments regarding water.
Speaking at the 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" 2018–2028 or Dushanbe Water Conference 2026 (DWC2026) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on May 25-28, the Foreign Minister, as he is known, highlighted the theme of this year's World Water Day, "Where Water Flows, Prosperity Grows" which he said contained a simple but profound truth.
"However, billions of people still lack safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and even basic hygiene," said Wamenlu Tata in his statement which was shared by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thursday (28/5).
Furthermore, Wamenlu Tata highlighted "the mining of important minerals, AI (artificial intelligence) infrastructure, data centers to digital industries that consume billions of liters of water every day."
He explained, "the demand has doubled every few years", stressing that water is an "invisible resource that drives the digital economy."
"If we fail to manage it strategically, the next crisis will not be fought over oil or land, but over water," he explained.
"Moreover, the multilateral system that we rely on to face this crisis is actually in crisis," said the diplomat who had been the Indonesian Ambassador to France and the Indonesian Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
He also warned, "The United Nations, which is unable to provide water, cannot credibly claim to be able to provide peace or development."
Regarding this, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs called for four things related to commitment to water.
First, strengthening regional cooperation in the water sector. Second, increasing strategic investments in the field as a foundation for development, preparing water governance for the AI era and the digital economy, and encouraging UN reform to have authority, resources and equality to truly realize the water issue.
"The world has the knowledge, capital, and technology. What is lacking is a collective political will and an effective multilateral system that is brave enough to accelerate action in the field of water," he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tata, reminded that water is no longer a sector, but the foundation of everything that is protected.
"Let's work together, because today's loyal drop of cooperation is shaping a more peaceful and resilient future," he concluded.
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