The 10th World Water Forum in Bali can become a platform for bilateral and multilateral cooperation to start implementing a blue economy, according to an official from Indonesia’s National Development Planning Ministry.
“Stakeholders, development partners, and other countries cooperate with Indonesia in realizing concrete measures for the blue economy which will provide prosperity to the people and become Indonesia’s engine of economic growth,” the ministry’s Deputy for Economy Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti said.
Speaking at the Parallel Event World Water Forum 2024 held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sunday, she said that based on the Indonesia Blue Economy Roadmap 2023-2045, the blue economy was projected to be able to create 12 million new jobs in 2030 and provide new renewable energy up to 40 times bigger in 2050.
Widyasanti noted that the blue economy is designed to support the economic transformation agenda to make Indonesia free from the middle-income trap.
“Without new sources of economic growth, the (target of) minimum six percent growth in 20 years will not be achieved. Thus, Indonesia must actively seek new sources of economic growth,” she said.
On the same occasion, Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources at the ministry Vivi Yulaswati expressed hope that the issues of water scarcity and irrigation systems in small islands can be serious topics of discussion in the 10th World Water Forum.
She also assessed that collaboration between parties could be a solution to water problems caused by climate change.
“For example, the availability of irrigation infrastructure capable of supporting fish farming will also be very important for us in the future,” she remarked.
The Indonesian Government and World Water Council are holding the 10th World Water Forum, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity” from May 18 to May 25.
Global leaders and delegates exchange ideas in finding solutions to the world water problems through the forum. More than 200 discussion sessions will focus on strengthening capabilities in handling various challenges in the provision of clean water for all.