Airlangga: National Water Management Supports Alleviation Of Extreme Poverty

Airlangga Hartarto

JAKARTA - Integrated Water Resources Management (SDA) needs to be implemented in a comprehensive, environmentally and sustainable manner. This will encourage the creation of National Water Security and ensure the availability of raw water sources to meet national water needs, including community water needs that are used for daily needs and to support livelihoods.

The government through the National Water Resources Council held the first Plenary Session of the year, on Tuesday 1 March led by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto as Chairman of the National SDA Council. The previous Plenary Session was held on June 9, 2021.

In the 2022 Plenary Session of the National SDA Council, several decisions were made, namely the Ratification of 4 Recommendations of the National SDA Council on Strategic Issues which consist of (1) Handling coastal/coastal problems, especially the north coast of Java, (2) Natural Resources Management Strategy in support of increasing sustainable food production, (3) Natural Resources Support for the Food Estate Development Program, and (4) Development of natural resource infrastructure in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the determination of the proposed work plan of the national natural resource council for 2022, as well as the determination of the proposal for the formation of the implementing committee of the work plan of the national natural resource council for 2022.

The Executive Committee of the National SDA Council consists of a Steering Committee consisting of elements from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and the Ministry of PUPR, as well as a Special Committee consisting of members of the National SDA Council in charge of Natural Resources Conservation, Natural Resources Utilization, and Water Damage Control.

"Our common hope is that the substance that has been agreed and decided in the Plenary Session can be considered by the President, so that all stakeholders can immediately follow up on its implementation according to their respective duties and functions," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

Furthermore, the related parties are expected to synergize with each other in the implementation of activities or programs for managing natural resources, so that the results can be immediately felt by the community. "In the Plenary Cabinet Session, the President directed that the management of this natural resource could also be linked to alleviating extreme poverty, for example by building wells," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

As mandated by the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), it is necessary to immediately realize National Water Security, and establish a National Water Security Index. In addition, given the urgency of the need for a legal basis for the implementation of integrated and sustainable natural resource management, of course it is necessary to encourage the acceleration of the issuance of derivative regulations from Law Number 17 of 2019 concerning Water Resources.

Regarding the energy transition, Indonesia has a large potential for renewable energy. It can be seen from the many rivers, dams, and other water reservoirs, which can be used to provide raw water and become a source of renewable energy in order to support the green and blue economy.

In addition, in order to realize national and regional water security, as well as resolve sectoral issues at the regional level, the Provincial Government is encouraged to immediately reactivate and/or establish a Provincial SDA Council, as a forum for coordinating natural resource management.

"We have determined the 2022 National SDA Council Work Plan and the 2022 National SDA Council Work Plan Implementation Committee, so that all members of the National SDA Council can implement it as well as possible from Ministries/Agencies, Regional Governments, and Non-Governmental elements. We also hope that the National SDA Council can continue to improve its performance so that the recommendations produced can be felt by all Indonesian people," concluded Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

The Plenary Session was also attended by, among others, the Minister of PUPR as the Daily Chair of the National SDA Council, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Minister of Agriculture, the Director of Forestry and Water Resources Conservation of the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Director General of Watershed Control and Protected Forests. Ministry of Environment and Forestry, as well as members of the National Natural Resources Council from both Government and Non-Government elements.