World Water Forum 2024: Jokowi States Collaboration Key for Water Issue

TheIndonesia.id - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that collaboration was the key to the world's success in overcoming global challenges related to water.

Jokowi made the statement during the opening of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) Summit at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Bali, on Monday.

"By gathering together in Bali today, of course, Indonesia hopes that the world can join hands continuously to strengthen the commitment of collaboration to overcome global challenges related to water," he remarked, as quoted by Antara.

Jokowi drew attention to the dwindling availability of clean water as a current global challenge. Of the 72 percent of the earth's surface covered by water, only one percent can be accessed and used as drinking water and for meeting sanitation needs.

The president stated that in 2050, some 500 million small farmers, who contribute 80 percent of the world's food, were predicted to be most vulnerable to drought.

"No water, no life, no growth. Therefore, the water must be managed well because every drop of water was very valuable," he remarked.

Jokowi also spotlighted achievements of his administration in building and strengthening domestic water infrastructure to the state heads attending the 10th WWF High-Level Meeting (HLM) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Monday.

"In the last 10 years, Indonesia has strengthened its water infrastructure by building 42 dams; 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks; and 2,156 kilometers of flood control and coastal protection; as well as rehabilitating 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks," the president remarked.

The head of state then emphasized the important role of water, which is also utilized for operating a floating solar power plant (PLTS) in the Cirata Reservoir, West Java, as the largest floating PLTS in Southeast Asia.

He conveyed that the role of water is very central to human life. The president also cited World Bank research estimating that water shortages could slow down economic growth by up to six percent by 2050.

"Water scarcity can also trigger war and can be a source of disaster. Too much water or too little water can both be a problem for the world," he cautioned.

Hence, he affirmed that the 10th WWF is highly strategic to revitalize real action and joint commitment in realizing integrated water resources management.

Jokowi also shed light on four new initiatives proposed by Indonesia as host of the 10th WWF in the HLM in Bali.

"The first initiative is the establishment of World Lake Day," Jokowi stated.

Moreover, Indonesia is encouraging the establishment of a center of excellence in the Asia-Pacific region. Under the third initiative, Indonesia encourages sustainable water management in small island countries, while the fourth initiative pertains to the promotion for water projects.

The head of state also outlined several consistent aspects that must continue to be encouraged, including increasing the principles of solidarity and inclusiveness to achieve joint solutions, especially for small island countries and those experiencing water scarcity.

Second, Indonesia also continues to empower "hydro diplomacy" for concrete and innovative cooperation, avoiding competition in the management of cross-border water resources, he added.

Third, Indonesia consistently strengthens "political leadership" as the key to the success of various collaborations toward sustainable water security.

Addressing the heads of state present at the meeting, Jokowi emphasized that the role of water is very central to human life.

According to the president, water scarcity can trigger war and can be a source of disaster. Moreover, an excess or dearth of water can pose a problem for the world.

Jokowi said that the 10th WWF is strategic to revitalize real action and joint commitment in realizing integrated water resources management.

He urged heads of state attending the 10th WWF to take actions aimed at actualizing inclusive and sustainable water management.

Jokowi affirmed that the world's largest water-themed meeting is supposed to encourage world leaders to take concrete actions and reaffirm joint commitment to exchanging insights, formulating innovative solutions, and paving a way for integrated management of water resources.

"This (forum) is meant to reaffirm our commitment and formulate concrete actions related to inclusive and sustainable water management," he remarked.

Jokowi emphasized that water plays a critical role in human life and might be referred to as "the next oil" in the future, noting that water shortages could slow down economic growth by up to six percent by 2050.

Acknowledging the critical importance of water, the president affirmed that Indonesia has been striving to strengthen its water infrastructure by constructing 42 dams and developing 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks in the last decade.

Moreover, the Indonesian Government has rehabilitated irrigation networks spanning an area of 4.3 million hectares and developed 2,156 kilometers of flood control and coastal protection structures, he added.