Jakarta, 15 February 2023 - On the same day, a press conference was held after the opening ceremony which presented several speakers, including: Indonesia Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, President of the World Water Council Loic Fauchon, Minister of Water and Sanitation of the Republic of Senegal Serigne Mbaye Thiam, and Governor of Bali Wayan Koster, with the Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (MCI) Usman Kansong as moderator (Jakarta, 15/02/2023).

On this occasion, Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono explained that the 10th World Water Forum is the largest cross-border event that discussed water resources issues. At the same time, it also becomes a forum for sharing experiences and innovations to answer various challenges in global water management.

"During the Kick-Off Metting, there are at least six main issues of water resources that will be discussed through political, thematic, and regional processes to find solutions, innovations and their implementation," said Minister Basuki.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Water and Sanitation of the Republic of Senegal, Serigne Mbaye Thiam, expressed his appreciation to Indonesia as the host country of the 10th World Water Forum. He even stated that there is continuity between the theme raised by Indonesia at the 10th World Water Forum "Water for Shared Prosperity" and the theme "Water Security for Peace and Development" which Senegal raised as host of the 9th Forum.

"We cannot achieve prosperity without security for future generations. From here, we can smell delicious food, just like we can smell the World Water Forum's success from today's Kick-Off Meeting," said Serigne.

At the same time, Bali Governor Wayan Koster said that Bali is chosen as the host of the 10th World Water Forum due to its philosophy of water. In Bali, water is not only beneficial in the daily life dimension like for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing and irrigation. For the Balinese people, water is tirta, which is also used to purify themselves; cleanse humans from all impurity.

"The 10th World Water Forum in Bali is an honor, and the opening date will be on 18 May 2024, coinciding with the day to honor water in the Balinese people," said Wayan.

The World Water Forum itself is the largest international meeting in the water sector which is held every 3 (three) years by involving various stakeholders. Bali was officially appointed as the host during the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar, Senegal, on 19 March 2022, after garnering 30 of the total 36 votes of the World Water Council Board of Governors. In terms of water management, Bali is known for its Subak irrigation system which is recognized as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO.  

On 12 January 2023, the President of the Republic of Indonesia issued Presidential Decree No. 1 of 2023 on National Committee for the Organization of the 10th World Water Forum in 2024 which is led by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs (Chairman of the National Water Resources Council) with Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) as Chairperson.