Badung, 23 May 2024 – The 10th World Water Forum initiated the establishment of the Center of Excellence (CoE) on Water and Climate Resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. The Center of Excellence will serve as a collaboration platform for countries in the global south that often face disasters related to water and water management.

Head of the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati made the statement at Special Session 9 of the 10th World Water Forum in Pecatu 3 Room at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center 2 (BNDCC 2) in Bali on Wednesday, 20 May.

“Collaboration and partnership are the most important to the CoE. They involve various stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, and academia,” she said.

According to Dwikorita, partnerships are crucial for leveraging various resources, expertise, and technologies so that the CoE can effectively overcome water and climate-related issues. Furthermore, Dwikorita stated that as an archipelagic state, Indonesia is on the frontline in facing environmental and climate challenges.

Dwikorita pointed out that Indonesia has encountered multiple challenges in the past 30 years to overcome water crises, but it has also continued technological innovations and research.

She added that all countries already have their own CoE. For example, Indonesia has CoE on Weather and Climate that focuses on enhancing expertise in human resources, which has gained support from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

“Sabo Center has also been around for 13 years. It introduces Sabo technology to young experts in related fields in Asia-Pacific and Africa,” she said.

For the record, sabo originated from two Japanese words; “sa,” which means sand, and “bo,” which means control. Sabo technology is a technique used to anticipate debris flow and sediment control in a landscape, particularly rivers in mountains.

Previously, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, Public Works and Housing Minister’s Expert Staff for Technology, Industry, and the Environment, stated that the CoE is key to tackling climate challenges currently faced by the world.

According to Endra, Indonesia will aim to strengthen South-South Cooperation (SSC) in establishing the CoE.

Through the CoE, Endra said, the Global South countries facing flood-related issues, sediment issues due to eruptions that damage rivers, and other water management issues can educate each other, exchange ideas, and share experiences to find the best solution that can be implemented.

“The Center of Excellence is the answer to the climate challenges we currently face in the world,” he remarked.