Badung, May 18, 2024 - The 10th series of the World Water Forum has started with a Segara Kerthi or Balinese Water Purification Ceremony, themed “Caring for Water, Protecting Sarwa Prani” which was held on Saturday (5/18/24) at Surf Beach, Kura Kura Bali Area in Bali, Indonesia.
The ceremony was attended by the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms Abdullah Azwar Anas, the Acting Governor of Bali Sang Made Mahendra Jaya and the President of the World Water Council Loïc Fauchon.
The Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut, also The Chairman of the National Organizing Committee of the 10th World Water Forum, said the Balinese Water Purification Ceremony was a good prelude to the opening of the 10th World Water Forum as water plays an important role in religious ceremonies and is often drawn from specific sources to be used for worship activities.
"For the Balinese, water is more than just a resource, it is part of their spirituality and culture. And the sea is not only a source of water, but also the largest habitat for living beings. That is why the ceremony was scheduled on the holy day of Tumpek Uye, which is the right day to respect animals," he added.
He also acknowledged the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, which contributed to the success of the 10th World Water Forum. He said that the most important thing for the world to realize through this event is that all parties must work together to achieve the goal of water for shared prosperity.
"On this good occasion, I would like to express my high appreciation for the support and cooperation of all parties, especially the Provincial Government of Bali, PT Bali Turtle Island Development, Moya Indonesia and Blue Water as the private sector supporting this event," said Luhut.
Meanwhile, Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that the activities of the 10th World Water Forum would bring stakeholders together to discuss solutions for sustainable water management and that it was hoped that by the end of this forum, there would be a water solution for the global future.
"The 10th World Water Forum is a diplomatic victory for Indonesia in the international world in terms of water management," he said. "It is the first time that a summit (High Level Conference) of heads of state is held within a framework of the 10th World Water Forum, which means that there are tangible results for several projects that have been signed," Basuki said.
The Segara Kerthi ceremony is a praiseworthy act to nurture and purify the sea. Since the sea as a source of water is also the largest habitat for living beings, this ceremony was also held on a good day to glorify animals, namely Rahina Tumpek Uye.
As is customary in Bali, artistic performances are staged at every major ceremony to emphasize the importance of the ceremony. Sacred music and dances such as Gong Gede Gamelan, Penasar Mask, Sanghyang Jaran dance accompanied by Kecak, Sanghyang Dedari dance accompanied by Kecak, Baris Cerkuak dance, Rejang Putri Maya dance and the Sidakarya Mask dance are performed.
The number of participants in the Balinese Water Purification Ceremony amounted to 2,096, including 612 forum participants and 1,484 members of the public. In addition, the delegation released 1,000 hatchlings, 1,000 birds and 5 turtles.
The theme of the 10th World Water Forum is "Water for Shared Prosperity" and includes the following sub-themes: Water Security and Prosperity, Water for Humans and Nature, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Governance, Cooperation and Hydro-Diplomacy, Sustainable Water Financing, and Knowledge and Innovation. (Ridho Syukra)
For more information, please contact:
Director General of Information and Public Communication, Ministry of Communication and Information – Usman Kansong (0816785320).
PCO 10th World Water Forum - Dede Ariwibowo (08111830020)
For more updates on the 10th World Water Forum, please visit:
https://infopublik.id/sistem/world-water-forum