PRESS RELEASE 

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE 10TH WORLD WATER FORUM

NO.06/SP/TKM-WORLDWATERFORUM2024/04/2024

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Learning Water Governance through Indonesian Local Wisdom

Water governance through local wisdom practices carried out in many regions in Indonesia provides optimism that real decisions will be made by world leaders at the 10th World Water Forum on April 18-25, 2024, in Bali.

This was stated by the Senior Advisor for Technology, Industry, and Environment to the Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), as well as the Vice Chairman I of the National Secretariat for the Organizer of the 10th World Water Forum, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, on Wednesday (4/24/2024) in Jakarta.

Endra said world leaders could explore many interesting things from Indonesia, especially regarding how to solve water governance issues.

"Indonesia's success in promoting water governance through a local cultural approach can be a lesson for the global community. Good practices involving all stakeholders prove that Indonesia is capable of leading the world in addressing water crises," he said.

For example, the Subak system in Bali, which has been recognized by UNESCO for irrigation governance through local wisdom. Or Lake Bratan, also located in Bali. Then there's the People's Forest Park (tahura) which shows how important mangroves are in supporting water management. Endra said all of these are good examples that can be directly witnessed by world leaders and delegates.

The water crisis is now a serious threat in many countries, and climate change has disrupted the hydrological cycle. The water crisis, according to Endra, is a global problem that must be addressed by every country, whether developed or developing.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that by 2050, the water crisis due to climate change will increase food vulnerability. More than 500 million small-scale farmers who produce 80 percent of the world's food sources are currently the most vulnerable group.

Not only that, but the water crisis also has the potential to cause conflicts between regions and between countries. Iran and Afghanistan, for example, are currently in turmoil; one of the factors is due to dwindling water availability.

Conflicts over water in these countries have been occurring since the 1950s. This shows how valuable water is for life. Therefore, cooperation in water management is crucial, especially in border areas and areas experiencing scarcity.

The 10th World Water Forum is expected to be a momentum for building collaboration between countries in addressing water issues. Collaborative action can unite modalities and enhance capacity to face all water-related challenges.

"The spirit of the World Water Forum in Bali is multi-sectoral, multi-helix, multi-stakeholder, multi-nation, and multi-nation collaboration in facing and overcoming global water and climate crises," said Endra.

Therefore, the Indonesian government is encouraging the involvement of national leaders, parliaments, ministers, local leaders, and water management authorities (basin authorities) in the upcoming World Water Forum. Global cooperation is crucial to strengthen political will to address water issues.

The success of the 10th World Water Forum is not only determined by the smooth running of the event but also by the long-term commitment of each country to water issues. The agreements reached must be in line with cooperation between governments, the private sector, civil society, and the international community.

Endra emphasized that Indonesia is ready to play an active role in implementing and monitoring the progress of agreements within the forum. As the host of the 10th World Water Forum, Indonesia has the opportunity to lead change by promoting sustainable water resource management.

Indonesia will introduce initiatives and innovations that have been undertaken in the field of water management. This includes the use of technology for water efficiency in various sectors such as agriculture, mining, industry, and river basin management, as well as strategies for adaptation and mitigation of hydrometeorological disasters. (PUPR Team/TR/Elvira Inda Sari)

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For further information, please contact the following:

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

Get more information at https://s.id/worldwaterforumpedia and https://infopublik.id