Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo told the opening of the 10th World Water Forum Summit in Bali on Monday, May 20, 2024, of the important role of water in human life.

He described that problematic water governance, in addition to slowing economic growth, has the potential to trigger wars and become a source of disaster.

"Too much water or too little water, both can be a problem for the world," President Joko Widodo said.

For the first time since the World Water Forum was held, world water issues are discussed at the head of state level or High-Level Meeting.

In the last 10 years, Indonesia has strengthened water infrastructure by building 42 dams, 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks, 2,156 km of flood control and coastal protection, and rehabilitating 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks.

Indonesia has also built a Floating Solar Power Plant (PLTS) at Cirata Reservoir in Purwakarta, West Java,, making it the largest floating PLTS in Southeast Asia.

President Joko Widodo asserted that the 10th World Water Forum is very strategic to revitalize concrete actions and joint commitments in realising integrated water resources management.

Three things that Indonesia consistently encourages include, first, increasing the principles of solidarity and inclusiveness to achieve common solutions, especially for small island countries and those experiencing water scarcity.

Indonesia also encourages the empowerment of hydro-diplomacy for concrete and innovative cooperation, away from competition in the management of transboundary water resources.

For Indonesia, strengthening political leadership is key to successful cooperation towards sustainable water security.

President Joko Widodo also revealed four new initiatives promoted by Indonesia in the 10th World Water Forum, namely the establishment of World Lake Day, the establishment of a Center of Excellence in the Asia Pacific, sustainable water governance in small island countries and the promotion of water projects.

"Water is not just a product of nature, but a product of collaboration that unites us so that it requires joint efforts to protect it," the Indonesian president concluded.