Tokyo - the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH) and the Asia-Pasific Water Forum (APWF) have signed a Letter of intent (Lol), which includes a cooperation agreement to host the 5th Asia Pasific Water Summit in Indonesia in 2027.

The Lol was signed by MPWH Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and President of APWF or Japan Water Forum Yoshiro Mon in Tokyo, Japan. Minister Basuki expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in Indonesia to host the 2027 Asia Pasific Water Summit.

"I am grateful for the support of everyone who contributed to the success of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali last May, especially for coordinating the Pasific Regional Sessions." the minister said.

He added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed following the Lol. The signing of the MoU, which is scheduled for January or February 2025, aims to formalize the terms and details of the agreed cooperation.

It will cover the principles and agenda of the 5th APWS, the management and organization of the event, communication and marketing, logistics, resources and planning, including finances, as well as the follow-up of the APWS.

"We propose that the 5th APWS be held in the new capital of Nusantara (IKN) and that this be included as one of the points in the MoU." he said.

The 5th APWS will follow on the Kumamoto Declaration adopted at the 4th APWS and the Ministerial Declaration adopted during the 10th World Water Forum as part of the preparations for the 2028 UN Water Cenference in New York.

In addition, the Indonesian government has joined forces with the Japan Water Forum to introduce World Lakes Day. "We promoted the proposal for a World Lakes Day at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York from September 24-28, 2024. Several proposals were made and August 27 was selected as World Lakes Day, marking the historical date of the first World Lakes Conferences in 1984 at Lake Biwa in Japan," he concluded.