Tokyo - During his working visit to Japan, Minister of Public works and Public Housing (MPWH) Basuki Hadimuljono, accompanied by Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi, held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLITT) Tetsuo Saito on Thursday (26/9/2024).

During this meeting, Minister Hadimuljono discussed four agendas of infrastructure cooperation between Indonesia and Japan. First, the minister explained the follow-up to the 10th World Water Forum, which was successfully held in Bali, Indonesia in May 2024.

"One of the outcomes is that the Indonesian government has propose that World Lake Day be celebrated annually on August 27 to commemorate the 1984 World Lake Conference. In Japan, we will also study the sustainable management and protection of lakes by visiting Lake Biwa." he said.

Secondly Minister Hadimuljono said he had met with the Secretary General of the Japan Water Forum, Toshiro Takemura, to discuss preparations for the 5th Asia Pasific Water Summit (APWS) in 2027. For the 5th APWS, Indonesia has once again been trusted to host the event and is willing to cooperate with the Japanese government.

Minister Basuki has signed a Letter of Intent (Lol) together with the Japan Water Forum on behalf of the Indonesian government.

"I believe that the 5th APWS will be an important platform to follow up on the outcomes of the 10th World Water forum. Therefore, i will consolidate and follow up the Letter of intent to turn it into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will include themes, subthemes, phases, timelines and joint organizing committees from early 2025," said Minister Basuki.

This cooperation aims to transform the STC into a Sabo Technology Training Center and become part of the Center of Excellence for Water and Climate Resilience, from whish countries in the Asia-Pacific and Africa can benefit. 

As the fourth item on the agenda, the Minister asked or expert assistance for quality assurance in the construction of the new capital Nusantara (IKN). This support to ensure that the development of IKN as a city meets high quality standards.