PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE 10TH WORLD WATER FORUM

NO.79/SP/TKM-WORLDWATERFORUM2024/05/2024

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Balinese People’s Wisdom Harmonious with Spirit of 10^th World Water Forum

Water for the Balinese people is more than a mere resource, but part of spirituality and culture. Water plays a significant role in religious ceremonies in which water is taken from a particular source and then used for rituals of worship.

This philosophy is harmonious with the theme "Water for Shared Prosperity" of the 10^th World Water Forum, held in Bali on 18—25 May 2024.

This was stated by Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan when opening the Balinese Water Purification Ceremony at the the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (KEK) of Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday (18 May) afternoon.

"For Balinese people, water is more than just a resource. It’s part of spirituality and culture," said Luhut.

There is also a philosophy that underlies the Segara Kerthi ritual. It is a ceremony to express the gratitude of humanity at maintaining the harmony of nature.

Segara Kerthi is part of the Sad Kerthi teachings which contain six noble behaviours to protect the universe. This ritual shows the original wisdom of the Balinese people, both physically and spiritually.

The performance of Segara Kerti ritual today also coincides with the Tumpek Uye Holy Day, which is celebrated every six months. On this day, Hindus usually perform a ceremony to ask for the safety of all animals.

"Apart from being a water resource, the sea is also the largest habitat for living creatures. That’s why the ceremony was scheduled to coincide with the Tumpek Uye Holy Day, which is the perfect day to honour animals," explained Luhut.

On that occasion, Luhut also expressed his appreciation for the support and cooperation of all parties to make the 10^th World Water Forum a success. He said that the most important thing the world must realize through this event collaboration of all parties to create shared prosperity from water.

"On this good opportunity, I would like to express my high appreciation for the support and cooperation of all parties, especially the Bali Provincial Government, PT Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID), Moya Indonesia, and Blue Water as the private sector that supports this event," he added.

According to Luhut, this made a unique distinction for Indonesia as a host compared to the hosts of previous events.

Indonesia is the Best Host

On the same occasion, President of the World Water Council (WWC), Loic Fauchon, admitted that Indonesia had made excellent preparations for the 10^th World Water Forum. According to Loic, Bali, as the host of the world's largest water forum, is the most professional and efficient host compared to previous hosts.

“Since its inception 30 years ago, this is the most professional, most efficient host I have ever seen,” Loic said.

For this reason, he expressed his gratitude to the people of Bali and Indonesia, as well as to the entire team that had prepared the triennial forum. "I am sure this afternoon's activities will be an extraordinary ceremony," he added.

He said the 10^th World Water Forum in Bali was the most successful forum, adding that it would be a diplomatic victory for Indonesia. "This forum will be a diplomatic victory for Indonesia," he said. (Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs’ Communication Bureau/Dewa Ketut Sudiarta/Ahmad Wijaya/Tri Antoro/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/WS/PR)

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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 the 10th World Water Forum - Dede Ariwibowo (08111830020)

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