Jakarta, 27 February 2025 — The World Water Council held a "Follow Up Meeting of the 10th World Water Forum" in Jakarta on 27-28 February, 2025 with the aim of promoting sustainable collaboration in global water governance.
“The meeting, attended by high-level stakeholders, served as a bridge between the 10th World Water Forum, which was successfully held in Bali from May 18 to 25, 2024 and the 11th World Water Forum which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027 under the theme "Action for a Better Future", said World Water Council President Loïc Fauchon reminding that the 10th World Water Forum has signaled to all parties that they care about water issues and are committed to implementing the agreed innovations and solutions.
UN Envoy on Water Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of continuation of messages from the 10th World Water Forum to the future forum and that this event served as an entry point where the UN and the World Water Forum can and must collaborate. She further elaborated the importance of this collaboration, “The United Nations as a norm-setting institution and the World Water Council whose strategic position is working closely with stakeholders in fulfilling the high demands of concrete actions, will strengthen the implementation of water actions.”
Vice Minister of Public Works of the Republic of Indonesia Diana Kusumastuti affirmed that Indonesia has made significant strides in water diplomacy through large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at improving water access and resilience. One notable success is the National Strategic Project for water resource management, including the construction of dams, enhanced irrigation systems and water treatment plant projects.
“And to bridge the existing gaps and shape the future of global water diplomacy, several innovative approaches can be adopted, particularly in Indonesia’s context, including the commitment to climate-resilient infrastructure planning, putting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, as core pillar of water policy, the use of digital use in water monitoring and management, and an integrated urban-rural solutions,” she concluded.
Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz bin Muhareb Al-Shaibani, said, "Saudi Arabia has long formed innovations and regulations that are in line with International Water Resources Management (IWRM), as a form of effort to maintain water resources and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We hope that the 11th World Water Forum can serve as a momentum to further develop solutions and discuss challenges in the water sector.”
During his speech, the Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Regional Infrastructure and Development Ayodhia G. L. Kalake emphasized that the Indonesian government recently relaunched the Water and Food Self-Sufficiency Program to ensure the availability of water and food. "We are committed to prioritizing investment in improving water management and improving sustainable irrigation and forestry practices to ensure food security," he added.
The Follow-Up Meeting programs in Jakarta included reflections on the implementation of the 10th World Water Forum, efforts to promote global water diplomacy, presentation of the World Water Warrior's Guide and the Synthesis Report of the 10th World Water Forum and presentation of regional impacts on the water sector.
Overview of the 10th World Water Forum
The 10th World Water Forum produced a Ministerial Declaration agreeing 113 clean water and sanitation projects worth USD 9.4 billion, supported by 33 countries and 53 international organizations. In addition, the 10th World Water Forum agreed on the launch of World Lake Day, the establishment of a Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience and the improvement of the Integrated Management of Water Resources on Small Islands.
