Intelligence Asia Services Events Transparency

logo

Newsletter Sign In Subscribe

International seminar on water security: Defense University of Indonesia address the water crisis with advanced technologies

Published on 23/09/2023 at 06:17 GMT+7 Reading time

In response to the growing water crisis in Indonesia, Universitas Pertahanan (Defense University) in collaboration with Indonesia Business Post Media organized a Water Security Seminar - Technology for Indonesia on Friday, September 22, 2023.

Water Security refers to the ability to ensure sustainable access to clean water sufficient for good living, economic development, and environmental protection. It also includes measures to maintain clean water, protection against water pollution and water-related disasters, as well as ecosystem preservation.

The seminar and exhibition, held on September 22, 2023, and was attended by the Rector of Universitas Pertahanan RI, Major General TNI Jonni Mahroza. The event also welcomed international water experts and showcased over 15 domestic and international companies with the latest and most advanced technologies in water conservation and resilience.

This event was also attended by water security expert panellists such as Firdaus Ali, expert staff for Water Resources at the Ministry of PUPR; Ali Berawi, Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation at the National Capital Authority (IKN); and Arief Nasrudin as President Director of PAM JAYA.

Major General TNI Jonni Mahroza, the Rector of Universitas Pertahanan RI, stated that the purpose of this event is to broaden awareness and find solutions to ensure the resilience of water resources by utilizing the most advanced technologies that are suitable for Indonesia's natural conditions, thereby strengthening the country's defense.

Mahroza also emphasized that the Water Security Technology seminar and exhibition is a realization of the request made by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, to Universitas Pertahanan to research and develop water resource technologies to address the water crisis in Indonesia. 

"This seminar is a follow-up to Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto's call to Universitas Pertahanan RI on September 20, 2022, to research water resource technologies to address the water crisis in Indonesia," he said on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Meanwhile, Annelis Putri, the founder and CEO of Indonesia Business Post (IBP), collaborated with Universitas Pertahanan RI to invite more than 15 companies and experts in water resilience technology, both from within and outside the country. Annelis emphasized that the selection of these companies was based on the expectations of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia and the Rector of Universitas Pertahanan RI that their technologies could support a revolution in water management and water resilience in Indonesia.

Water scarcity threatens most Indonesian territory

Clean water scarcity is one of the most imminent threats facing Indonesia and countries worldwide. According to the United Nations (UN), it is projected that by 2025, the entire world will experience a water crisis. 

The UN also estimates that by 2030, global freshwater demand will be about 40% higher than its availability today, due to climate change, human activity, and population growth. Cities including Jakarta, are also at risk of facing similar water shortages.

According to Mahroza, Indonesia's water security is currently heading towards a crisis, marked by droughts in several regions such as Nusa Tenggara (NTT, NTB), Maluku, and Java (Gunung Kidul), as well as flooding in DKI, Bandung, and other cities, as a result of climate change. 

The impact of climate change is caused by environmental pollution, particularly air pollution from CO2, NO3, and HSO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect and acid rain. 

The greenhouse effect significantly affects global temperature rise, including sea surface temperatures. Increasing sea surface temperatures have triggered phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, resulting in regions becoming excessively wet or dry.

Regions with excessive rainfall lead to high precipitation and flooding, while excessively dry areas cause drought and water scarcity. These impacts have systemic effects that influence national defense and security aspects, such as decreased availability of clean water, reduced food, agricultural and industrial productivity, natural disasters, and other impacts that affect various aspects of daily life. 

Impacts such as: 

  • Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxide pollutants that contaminate the air have significantly increased, enhancing the greenhouse effect.
  • Around 90% of the energy trapped in the Earth's system by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans, which then warm up, leading to rising sea levels.
  • Notable changes in sea water temperatures have induced the emergence of La Niña and heatwaves.
  • The increase in global warming has resulted in significant changes in regional average temperatures and rainfall patterns.
  • Storms like La Niña, El Niño, and heatwaves have caused droughts in some regions and floods in others.

Moreover, global climate change has affected Indonesia's climate patterns. Climate change has impacted the availability of clean water, decreased food production and food security, and even led to natural disasters.

Given the above circumstances, it can be concluded that climate change has a serious impact on water resource resilience. Therefore, appropriate mitigation measures are needed to strengthen the country's water resilience and prevent larger national losses. 

Consequently, discussions on Water Security are crucial, as water resilience plays a vital role in the context of a sustainable supply chain, ensuring the survival of the Indonesian nation.

Human life and all living beings, food security, health security, industry, and other aspects are all inseparable from water resource resilience. 

"Future water crises could trigger conflicts between nations, as the vital value of water affects all aspects of national life and statehood," said Mahroza.

Signing of MoUs with French and Swedish companies

In anticipation of the impending water crisis, Universitas Pertahanan RI has collaborated with various institutions and companies both within and outside the country to develop water resilience in Indonesia. 

On this occasion, Universitas Pertahanan RI, represented by the Rector, Major General TNI Jonni Mahroza, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three companies from France and Sweden, witnessed by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto. The three companies are Osmosun and Ellipse Projects from France, and Bluewater from Sweden. 

Water access program for remote islands

Osmosun, a French company, possesses technology that utilizes solar energy as the primary resource for water desalination.

Osmosun will collaborate with Universitas Pertahanan RI to implement an access to water program for remote islands, areas that struggle to obtain a clean water supply, and communities with limited access to fresh water sources in Indonesia.

Water resilience development in disaster-prone areas

Bluewater, a Swedish company, has emergency water solutions specifically designed for situations such as earthquakes, floods, fires, or life-threatening conflicts.

Bluewater has signed an MoU with Universitas Pertahanan RI to cooperate in improving access to clean water for Indonesian communities affected by disasters or conflicts.

This solution enables emergency response teams to quickly access pure, clean water, even from heavily polluted water sources.

Digital water resilience research

Ellipse Projects, a French company, also signed an MoU with Universitas Pertahanan RI for joint digital water resilience research programs.

Indonesian companies Gapura Liqua Solutions and PAM Jaya MOYA Indonesia also participated in the exhibition, showcasing their advanced water purification technologies to ensure a supply of high-quality clean water.

Additionally, more than ten companies in the water resource sector, both domestic and international, participated in the event. These included Danone Indonesia, Gapura

Tag

International Public Affairs Government Technology

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Freemium

    Start reading

  • Monthly Subscription
    30% OFF

    $26.03 $37.19/Month


    Cancel anytime

    This offer is open to all new subscribers!

    Subscribe now

  • Yearly Subscription
    33% OFF

    $228.13 $340.5/Year


    Cancel anytime

    This offer is open to all new subscribers!

    Subscribe now

Set up email notifications for these topics

Read Also
View All

  • 2023_06_04_139014_1685879979._large

    Prabowo’s peace proposal fails to gain traction in Russia-Ukraine conflict

    Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto attempts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine conflicts in various international forums.

  • WhatsApp-Image-2024-02-26-at-13.58.17

    The New President and the Challenge of Deindustrialization

    By Nikolaus Loy, a lecturer on international relations at the UPN Veteran University. Yogyakarta

  • Mineral_Security_Partnership_55fe9b5c84

    Mineral security partnership and energy geostrategy

    By: Sampe L. PurbaThe Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) is an initiative launched by the U.S. Department of State in 2022. This initiative currently collaborates with 14 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, Finland, and the European Union (EU). The goal is to accelerate public and private investment in a responsible global mineral supply chain.Major mineral-producing countries such as China, Russia, Argentina, Chile, and Malaysia are not part of the MSP. Although India is claimed to be a member, the country often voices criticism that represents the views and interests of developing nations.The MSP functions through various project-focused working groups that engage with project proponents, evaluate project compatibility with ESG standards and MSP strategic objectives, and assess potential modes of MSP support. Partner governments involved in the MSP coordinate across diverse agencies and departments such as those handling foreign affairs, economic policies, energy, trade, development finance, and export finance.The MSP is currently evaluating over a dozen mineral projects worldwide, spanning multiple commodities and stages of the value chain, including processing and recycling initiatives. Partner governments may offer financial, diplomatic, or other forms of support.Main focus of MSPThe MSP emphasizes the need for mineral and metal-based energy projects to be managed with clean technology practices, including mining, extraction, cleaning, processing, refining, and recycling. The main focus is on commodities such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, rare earth elements, and copper.The MSP only supports projects that meet global environmental standards, enhance local values, and advance the livelihoods of local communities. The global clean energy transition will only be achieved if countries implement these projects properly. This means that countries that do not adhere to these standards may be excluded or boycotted from the global community concerning funding, technology transfer, and marketing.IEA Critical Minerals Market Review 2023According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) Critical Minerals Market Review 2023, the three largest critical mineral processors globally are China, Indonesia, and Chile.China is the producer and processor of 65 percent of lithium, followed by Chile with 29 percent and Argentina with 5 percent. Indonesia produces 43 percent of nickel, followed by China with 17 percent and Russia with 5 percent.China also leads in copper with 42 percent, followed by Chile with 9 percent and Japan with 6 percent. China produces and processes 74 percent of cobalt, followed by Finland with 10 percent and Canada with 5 percent. China produces 90 percent of rare earth elements, followed by Malaysia with 9 percent and Estonia with 1 percent. Even graphite is 100 percent produced in China.Importance of critical mineralsThe above-mentioned critical minerals are key components for clean energy technology, defense systems applications, and manufacturing technology. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite, for instance, are essential components for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems.Rare earth elements are vital for wind turbine magnets, electric vehicles, and defense technologies such as precision-guided munitions and advanced communication systems. Conventional defense systems are based on metals such as iron and copper, which are predominantly controlled by China. Technological superiority lies with the United States, Russia, and the European Union.Geopolitics and geostrategyThe MSP initiative from the United States and other developed countries can be seen as part of a rebalancing policy to pressure producing countries. Environmental protection, democracy (involvement of local communities represented and voiced by social and non-governmental organizations), and the power to dictate market and technology are powerful geopolitical weapons. This is entirely legitimate.In mid-July 2024, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose Fernandez, visited Indonesia to discuss critical minerals. Some concerns raised included Indonesia's environmental practices, local community involvement, and the dominance of Chinese companies in Indonesia.Collaboration with IndonesiaFernandez's polite language was, "We believe that Indonesia's collaboration, if it joins the MSP, will bring better investment for Indonesia, not just any investment, but investments that benefit the community, respect labor laws, and uphold environmental regulations." Fernandez also stated that Indonesia is one of the seven countries supported to become a semiconductor hub.In response, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto expressed hope that the ease of cooperation, similar to that between the U.S. and Japan, would also apply to Indonesia. Airlangga informed the public that the Indonesian government and Fernandez discussed ways to develop critical minerals and would also cooperate in a Mineral Forum that could be developed as a supply chain platform. The normative position conveyed by Airlangga is appropriate.Indonesia's positionIndonesia has strong bargaining power with its critical mineral resources, including copper and cobalt. To meet fair environmental and legal standards, it should be noted that the regulatory framework, such as the requirement for environmental impact assessments (AMDAL) and community involvement, is accommodated in the Environmental Protection and Management Law (Law No. 32/2009).Mining aspects, including good mining practices, environmental protection, reclamation, and post-mining activities, in accordance with the principles of Environmental Social Governance, are accommodated in Law No. 3/2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining.Indonesia also implements good governance and transparency through anti-corruption measures. Indonesia is a member of the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative), which encourages responsible mining. In terms of risk management, mining projects are always preceded by environmental and social risk assessments. Although not perfect, these steps are commendable.Developed countries like the United States and the European Union have also been invited to invest directly in Indonesia's mineral and mining sectors. Value addition is one of the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals. Downstream processing is a way to accelerate this, providing balance and fairness for the host country and community with investor countries, including for good benchmarks in mining management.As a country with an independent and active political stance, President-elect Prabowo Subianto has visited various countries such as China, Russia, and Turkey, as well as opened up to the United States and the European Union. This is a positive signal that should also be utilized by the U.S. government, whoever is elected president.As the name suggests, MSP is a Partnership. Partnership respects equality, balance, discussion, and willingness to listen and be heard. Partnership is not the imposition of unilateral terms or conditions. This is the essence of a civilized and sovereign state and society. Indonesia, the United States, and other countries live and collaborate in this spirit.The writer, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (2019-2023), holds Doctoral degree in Energy Geostrategy and is an alumnus of the Indonesian Defense University.

  • antarafoto-peta-elektoral-simulasi-pilpres-2024-181122-aaa-2_1

    Who's next? A look at Prabowo, Ganjar, and Anies electability survey

    Three notable survey institutions had released results of surveys regarding the electability of presidential candidates for the upcoming 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections.

How can we help you?