On the road to Bali !

A look back at the kick-off meeting of the 10th World Water Forum

In the framework of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, which will be held from 18 to 24 May 2024, the traditional kick-off meeting bringing together stakeholders was held on 15 and 16 February 2023, in Jakarta, Indonesia. This landmark meeting kicks off preparations for the next forum and aims to guide action to address water challenges. Countries, ministries, universities, public and private companies, a total of 1400 participants from 26 nationalities contributed to these days of introduction to the next World Water Forum, whose theme is "Water for shared prosperity".

OPENING CEREMONY, MOBILISING EVERYONE

At the opening ceremony of the kick-off meeting, Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, recalled the importance of preserving water. As a natural resource, water is the only natural element on earth that cannot be reproduced, so it is important to maintain its sustainability

"There is an obligation to achieve abundance, peace and serenity through sharing. But in order to share, we must possess, protect, safeguard and respect. And in this case, we must take care of water, manage it with total respect. The World Water Forum in Bali offers us the opportunity to change the course of water history, to write its future of abundance in order to achieve shared prosperity," he said from the podium.

 

• Download the full opening speech of Loïc Fauchon in English

Indonesian President Joko Widodo highlighted several issues to be prioritised at the upcoming Forum: water conservation efforts, clean water availability and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Indonesia is also committed to strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve the targets of SDG 6, including the right to safe drinking water and sanitation

The ambition of Indonesia, the host country of the Forum, is to welcome more than 17,000 participants and 30,000 visitors from 172 countries at the next Forum. As a reminder, the last World Water Forum in Dakar, organized in May 2022, was approved by 8,000 participants.

 

• Watch the film about the 9th World Water Forum here

CLOSING CEREMONY, POSITIVE COMMITMENTS

The two days of preparation for the 10th World Water Forum ended with general optimism that the next edition will go well. This ceremony took place in the presence of many personalities, a sign of the strong commitment of all to the cause of water.

In his closing speech, Loïc Fauchon awarded Indonesia the title of "International Water Country" for the next 15 months until the Bali 2024 Forum. He also said:

We are now walking together as a team, hand in hand, to show the world that at this kick-off meeting we have already started to stop ignoring water [...] And we have already decided together that for the future of humanity, we must save water to share prosperity."

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia, said

“I call on all of us to sit down together, identify challenges and strengths, explore options and find the best approach for each issue, technological innovation, joint global cooperation and information sharing, and to secure political commitment to solve the world's water problems, including ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.”

Prior to the launch meeting, Loïc Fauchon and Eric Tardieu, Vice President of the World Water Council, met with the Minister of Public Works and Housing, Basuki Hadilmujono, to discuss their respective expectations for the 1st launch meeting of the Forum and the actions to be taken during the Forum.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also received in his palace, the main Indonesian ministers and leaders of the World Water Council to mark his interest in the launch meeting of the 10th World Water Forum.

In order to discuss the stakes of the next forum, Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council, Basuki Hadimuljono, Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Housing, Wayan Koster, Governor of Bali and the Honourable Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Minister of Water and Sanitation of the Republic of Senegal, held a press briefing on 15 February with 29 Indonesian media.

• Download the press release of the even

See the press release below:

- Jakarta Post

- ACN News wire 

- Antara News wire

- Official Govt website, PUPR

- Voice of Indonesia (Video)

- TVRI World

- Tribune News Official

• Download thepress review in English 

• Download thepress review in French

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE EVENT IN PICTURES

• More information on the 10th World Water Forum : https://worldwaterforum.org/