Bali, Indonesia: The 10th World Water Forum in Bali is set to make history by producing its first-ever ministerial declaration. This landmark event marks a significant milestone since the forum’s inception in 1997 in Morocco.
“For the first time in World Water Forum history, it will produce a ministerial declaration which is not negotiated but through consultation,” announced Tri Tharyat, Director General of Multilateral Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference on Sunday.
The ministerial declaration, scheduled to be officially adopted on May 21, outlines four main points proposed by Indonesia:
Establishment of World Lake Day: Indonesia is advocating for an international agreement through the UN General Assembly to establish World Lake Day. This initiative aims to raise awareness and enhance lake management, an area that has received limited attention to date.
Center of Excellence: The second point involves the creation of a Center of Excellence focused on water and climate change issues, with a goal of building resilience against these challenges.
Integrated Water Resource Management: Emphasis will be placed on the integrated management of water resources, particularly on small islands, to ensure sustainable water usage and conservation.
Concrete Projects in Water Management: Indonesia is committed to leaving a lasting legacy through more than 100 concrete water-related projects. These projects have been curated by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.
Tharyat highlighted the significance of the 10th World Water Forum, which will take place from May 18-25, 2024. This forum is special as it includes a high-level meeting attended by representatives from 108 countries and 30 international organizations.
The triennial forum will culminate in a compendium of curated projects from various Indonesian ministries and institutions. “There will be concrete deliverables or concrete results in the form of projects that will not only be carried out in Indonesia or by Indonesia but also throughout the world,” Tharyat stated.
The World Water Forum continues to play a pivotal role in addressing global water challenges, fostering international cooperation, and promoting sustainable water management practices.
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