Jakarta, May 12, 2024 - Climate change is a growing concern and its consequences affect many different aspects of our lives. The 10th World Water Forum, which will take place in Bali from May 18 to 25, 2024 will be an important momentum for all countries to to mitigate the effects of climate change and tackle global water challenges.
This is conveyed by the Chair of Division I: Program and Session of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) of the 10th World Water Forum and the Head of Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, Dwikorita Karnawati, mentioning that according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the average temperature in 2023 has increased by 1.45 degrees Celsius compared to the 1850-1900 industrial era. Moreover, July and August 2023 were the two hottest months ever recorded on Earth.
“We cannot ignore this condition knowing that the whole world will experience its impact. The 10th World Water Forum serves as a platform for dialogues to overcome the gaps in water access, which are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change," said Dwikorita in recent statement.
“Climate change means that water, something that should create prosperity, can actually trigger disasters such as drought and flood. To prevent water from becoming detrimental, we must discuss it together in this forum with the aim of achieving equitable access to water," she continued.
“It is to be hoped that once the ministerial declaration has been finalized, follow-up measures will be taken to achieve the goal of "Water for Shared Prosperity". One of these is the declaration of World Lakes Day, as healthy freshwater ecosystems, including ponds and lakes, are crucial for mitigating and adapting to climate change,” she added.
Furthermore, the Vice Chair of the Secretariat of the NOC of the 10th World Water Forum and Special Advisor to the Minister of Public Works and Housing (MPWH) for Technology, Industry and the Environment, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, said that the designation of World Lakes Day will be a part of the forum’s ministerial declaration which will be forwarded to the United Nations (UN) for further discussion.
“We would like to submit the designation of World Lakes Day to the UN General Assembly. We hope that this proposal will be put forward as a UN Resolution," said Endra.
He further explained that World Lakes Day is an important matter in addressing global water challenges considering that the lakes in Indonesia and in other countries are now in critical conditions and in urgent need of rehabilitation. World Lakes Day aims to raise awareness about the vital role of lakes for people and the urgency of lake conservation to ensure the availability of water for all.
"Our lakes serve as extraordinary water reservoirs. We already strive to build man-made dams and reservoirs, but we also need to protect our natural water reservoirs such as lakes and ponds," he concluded.
Meanwhile, the government has developed the Bali Declaration’s draft which embodies Indonesia’s objectives for the follow-up actions following the 10th World Water Forum. These objectives are the designation of World Lakes Day, the establishment of the Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience, the mainstreaming of Water Management for Small Islands, and the preparation of the Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions.
Furthermore, Indonesia is set to prepare an online platform for the submission process of the list of projects, initiatives and collaborations managed by national, regional and international water stakeholders. This inclusive and voluntary enlisting of water projects will be accommodated in a Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions. (Firda Puri)
For more information on the 10th World Water Forum please visit: https://s.id/worldwaterforumpedia