The Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, stated that sustainable water management on a global, regional, national, and local scale plays a vital role in addressing the environmental degradation and climate change-induced water crisis.
Dwikorita conveyed this during her speech alongside the President of the United Nations General Assembly, at the High-Level Event "Celebrating World Water Day 2024: Converging Efforts, Keeping the Momentum of Progress" at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA on 24 March, 2024.
"The water resources management must be carried out sustainably and comprehensively from upstream to downstream as a unified, sustainable, fair, and equitable planning unit. This step is a part of the concrete and serious efforts to address poverty, food and energy security, and the conservation of natural resources," she explained.
The Importance of the 10th World Water Forum
Dwikorita emphasized that the key points resulting from the UN Water Conference 2023 must be implemented in concrete steps through various global platforms, including the upcoming 10th World Water Forum to be held by the Indonesian Government in Bali on May 18–25 2024.
She pointed out that the current global water crisis is inseparable from global warming due to climate change exacerbated by human activities that damage the environment. Therefore, the connection between water, climate, environmental management, and lifestyle transformation to always preserve nature must be the basis of global water management policy.
She pointed out that the current global water crisis is closely intertwined with global warming and climate change due to human activities that lead to environmental degradation. Therefore, global water management policy must be based on the connection between water, climate, environmental management, and lifestyle changes for the environment.
Water issues include not only the availability and accessibility, but also the quality, as well as the sanitation and hygiene aspects. These challenges should be considered as collective concerns considering the urgency of the availability of clean water and proper sanitation in ending poverty and promoting peace.
Global Warming, Global Issue
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated in its report that global warming is proceeding rapidly. The year 2023 was recorded as the hottest year. Various key indicators of the climate crisis also set records within the WMO.
"This issue should be a collective concern for all countries without exception. The number of extreme weather events triggering wet hydrometeorological disasters and droughts is increasing in frequency and intensity. This is highly dangerous as it threatens the survival of future generations," she added.
Dwikorita stressed that the adverse effects of extreme hydrometeorological disasters can be mitigated in each country through cooperation in integrating policies and actions to promote water conservation and environmental sustainability.