Stockholm - The Indonesian government as host of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali in 2024 invites the United Nations for Human Settlements Program (UN–HABITAT) to take an active role in the largest forum in the field of Water Resources (SDA).  This meeting was a follow-up to the meeting between PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and Executive Director of UN HABITAT Maimunah Mohd Sharif at the UN Water Conference in New York in March 2023.

This was conveyed by the PUPR Minister's Expert Staff for Technology, Industry and the Environment and PUPR Ministry Spokesperson Endra S. Atmawidjaja during a bilateral meeting with UN-Habitat representatives in Stockholm, Sweden, Monday (21/8/2023).

"We invite UN-Habitat to attend the 10th World Water Forum in Bali to prepare an agenda and form a working group, especially on the second sub-theme, namely water security. We really hope that UN Habitat can become a member of the working group, as well "We can establish specific cooperation with Indonesia in the water sector. We know that UN Habitat has an extensive network, including under the umbrella of the Global Water Operators Network. We will concrete this collaboration as a result of the 10th World Water Forum which will provide benefits for Indonesia," stressed Spokesman Endra .

Spokesman Endra further said that this meeting aims to explore the potential for support/involvement of UN-Habitat in the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, because water issues are closely related to the settlement and housing sector, especially the provision of clean water and sanitation.

"With its extensive network, UN-Habitat can play a real role in the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, and provide concrete results such as commitment and cooperation between countries in the form of an MoU or joint cooperation with the Indonesian Government," said Endra.

Deputy for Facilities and Infrastructure at the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Ervan Maksum, who was also present at the meeting, said that the problem of providing clean water is still a big challenge for the Indonesian Government.

"Only 19% of Indonesia's territory is served by a clean water pipe network. Effective strategies and mechanisms are needed in managing clean water between the government and the private sector," said Ervan.

UN-Habitat Chief Urban Basic Services Andre Dzikus welcomed the invitation by congratulating Indonesia on being chosen to host the 10th World Water Forum in Bali in 2024.

"There is a need for a national platform for Indonesia and also a platform for cooperation between Indonesia and Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, etc. The water issue is closely related to the 5 focuses of the current UN-Habitat agenda, namely Housing, Climate Change, "Sustainable Development Goals (TPB/SDGs), Disaster Management and Financing," said Andre.

Also present were Adviser of Regional Office for Asia Pacific UN-Habitat Avi S, WASH lead Hesekiah Pireh, Director General of Housing of the PUPR Ministry Iwan Suprijanto, and Main Director of PT. Brantas Abipraya Sugeng Rochadi.(*)

Public Communications Bureau of the Ministry of PUPR

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