Jakarta - On the occasion of the World Water Day (Hari Air Sedunia) 2024, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH), through the Directorate General of Water Resources, organized the 32nd World Water Day celebration on Monday (29/04/2024) at the Ministry Auditorium.

Under the theme of "Water for Peace" and in line with UN Water guidelines, the 32nd World Water Day focuses on how water can create peace but can also trigger conflict due to the gap in water resources availability and supply. The 32nd World Water Day is therefore hoped to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable water management in building and maintaining peace. 

Minister Basuki Hadimuljono explained that the Ministry has undertaken a number of concrete activities and measures to commemorate the World Water Day and has invited all parties to contribute and implement the relevant projects. 

"First, to implement the River Basin Restoration Program such as the ‘Citarum Harum’ in all rivers on the island of Java. Secondly, to improve our water governance capacity. With the support of BMKG (Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics) in hydrological analysis and forecasting, we can improve our water resources management in rainy and dry seasons,” Minister Basuki added.

Director General for Water Resources (SDA) Bob Arthur Lombogia explained that a series of events to commemorate the 32nd World Water Day in 2024 were also held by River Basin Centers (BBWS/BWS) across Indonesia, aiming to promote the 10th World Water Forum which will take place on 18-25 May 2024 in Bali.

"A series of activities such as ‘SDA Goes to Schools’ and public lectures have been carried simultaneously by BBWS/BWS across Indonesia, as well as productive tree planting with a total of 17,419 trees,” he added. 

Other activities include the National Student Scientific Research Competition on Water Resources with a total of 1,044 submitted papers and Tiktok competition under the theme "Water for the World" with 525 participants as well as the MPWH Campus Visit with “Sahabat Air” community. 

The peak of the 32nd World Water Day was also enlivened by the inauguration of Members of the National Water Council and the Association of Water Resources Management Professionals Association, the awarding ceremony for the student scientific competition and submission of the results of the Consultation of Policy-Stakeholders and Stakeholders at the 5th Indonesian Water Forum by Indonesian Water Partnership (Kemitraan Air Indonesia). 

Also attending the event were high-ranking middle and primary officials at the MPWH and the state-owned enterprises, relevant stakeholders and academics.