Jakarta, May 5, 2024 - The 10th World Water Forum is expected to create investment opportunities for water infrastructure development, a senior government official says.

Deputy for Coordination on Environmental Management and Forestry at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Nani Hendiarti, said on Sunday, May 5, 2024 said that in an effort to achieve the target of access to safe, equitable and affordable drinking water in 2030, investment in drinking water pipes is needed.

She cited that the development of investment in drinking water pipes is only at around 20.6 percent, while to increase the investment to 30 percent, it will requreire  Rp 123 trillion. Manwhile, the State Budget (APBN) can only accommodate 37 percent of the water infrastructure funding needs. Therefore, investment must be encouraged as a source of capital.

"The 10th World Water Forum will be attended by many countries, this forum is expected to be able to attract new investment in water infrastructure," Nani said.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Work and Housing.  Mohammad Zainal Fatah, said Indonesia will offer a number of strategic water-related projects worth US$9.6 billion or Rp 154 trillion at the 10th World Water Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali on May 18-25, 2024.

The list of projects is currently being selected and compiled by the Ministry of National Planning and Development/National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

"This has combined many proposals, the figure is US$9.6 billion in the form of projects, whether they are ongoing project or new ones whose funding is already there," Zainal said.

The big theme of the 10th World Water Forum is "Water for Shared Prosperity". It is in line with the global commitment to find solutions to improve and manage sustainable water resources to deal with uncertain climate change.

In addition, there is a Sustainable Water Financing subtheme that will further discuss sustainable water financing mechanism that is not only sourced from the government, but also business entities.