Leading up to the culmination of the 10th World Water Forum, the Indonesian Government held a meeting with local leaders at the level of Governors, Mayor, and Regents to share experiences regarding water management and build a collective commitment to water management.
Mohammad Zainal Fatah, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, represented Minister Basuki Hadimuljono as Vice Chairman of the National Committee for the 10th World Water Forum. He mentioned that the 10th world Water Forum in Bali follows a three-pronged approach, encompassing thematic, political, and regional aspects.
"Regional and local issues related to water management are gathered and consolidated to subsequently become part of the political process involving parliament. Therefore, Governors, Mayors, and Regents are invited to provide input and expectations stemming from the 10th World Water Forum in Bali," Secretary-General Zainal Fatah explained.
From Local to Global
In alignment with this objective, Loïc Fauchon, the President of the World Water Council (WWC), highlighted that one of the objectives of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali is to persuade decision-makers, not only Presidents and Ministers but also Governors, Mayors, and Regents, to commit to water management.
"We understand the technological and financial solutions to address water management issues, but we need political solutions for policy-making. Discussing water issues with local leaders is the key to creating a collective commitment at the global level to find concrete solution for water management," stated Loïc Fauchon.
Encouraging Local Participation
As a folloe-up, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing's Advisor for Technology, Industry, and Environment, proposed the organization of a special meeting with members of the Association of Provincial Governments throughout Indonesia (APPSI), Association of City Governments throughout Indonesia (APEKSI), and Association of Regency Governments throughout Indonesia (APKASI). The aim is to provide an opportunity for local leaders to actively participate in the political process.
Moreover, Endra also unveiled plans for an exhibition, which aims to promote culture and showcase each region's policies in water management. Both the meeting and exhibition will involve the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) with the objective of enhancing collective commitment to water management at the global level.
"This meeting will be the largest event in the field of water management. We will prepare smaller meetings in working groups for socialization with local leaders. During the peak event of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, the outcomes of meetings with local leaders can serve as examples of successful implementation from each region," Endra Expressed.