PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE 10TH WORLD WATER FORUM

NO.97/SP/TKM-WORLDWATERFORUM2024/05/2024

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President Jokowi Opens 10th World Water Forum, Emphasizes Global Solidarity in

Water Management

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting Session while emphasizing the urgency of global collaboration in managing water resources to face increasingly complex challenges in the future.

In his remarks, the President described water as "the next oil", highlighting the importance of water for global economic and ecological sustainability.

"The World Bank estimates that water shortages could slow economic growth by up to 6 percent by 2050," said President Jokowi at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Badung Regency, Bali Province on Monday, 20 May 2024.

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

In the forum, President Jokowi explained Indonesia's efforts to bolster its water infrastructure over the last decade, including the construction of 42 dams, 1.18 million hectares of irrigation, 2,156 kilometers of flood control and coastal protection, as well as the rehabilitation of 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks.

"We also make use of water to build the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant as the largest floating solar power plant in Southeast Asia," he explained.

Furthermore, President Jokowi emphasized that the 10th World Water Forum is very strategic in revitalizing real actions and joint commitment in realizing integrated water resources management.

For this reason, President Jokowi consistently encourages three points, namely increasing the principles of solidarity and inclusiveness, empowering concrete and innovative hydro-diplomacy, and strengthening political leadership in international cooperation related to water.

Indonesia also proposed four new initiatives in this forum, namely the designation of World Lakes Day, the establishment of a Center of Excellence in the Asia Pacific for water and climate resilience, sustainable water management in small island countries, and proposition of water-related projects. These initiatives demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to leading global efforts in sustainable water management.

This event was attended by heads of state, heads of international organizations, and delegations from various countries, marking the importance of international cooperation in overcoming the challenges of water resource management in the future. President Jokowi closed his remarks by inviting all parties to collaborate in maintaining the sustainability of water resources.

"Water is not just a natural product, but is a collaborative product that unites us so we need joint efforts to protect it," he stressed. (BPMI/Elvira Inda Sari/TM/MB)

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For further information, please contact:

Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).

PCO of World Water Forum ke-10 - Dede Ariwibowo (08111830020)

Get more information at https://infopublik.id/kategori/world-water-forum and https://s.id/worldwaterforumpedia