REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The holding of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) on 18—25 May 2024 in Bali is expected to create investment opportunities for water infrastructure development.
Deputy for the Coordination of Environment and Forestry Management of the Ministry of Tourism and Investment Coordinator (Kemenko Marves) Nani Hendiarti said that in order to achieve the target of safe, fair and affordable access to drinking water by 2030, investment in drinking water pipes is needed.
“The development of investments in new drinking water pipes is about 20.6 percent. To increase its investment to 30 percent, the funds to be spent reached Rp 123 trillion,” Nani said in a written statement on Sunday (5/5/2024).
He explained that the new State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) could accommodate 37 percent of the water infrastructure funding needs. To that end, investment must be encouraged as a source of capital.
“The 10th World Water Forum will be attended by many countries, this forum should be able to attract new investments in water infrastructure,” Nani said.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of PUPR Ministry Mohammad Zainal Fatah said Indonesia will offer a number of strategic water-related projects worth 9.6 billion US dollars or Rp 154 trillion at the 10th World Water Forum. The list of such projects is currently being selected and collected by the Ministry of National Planning and Development (PPN/BAPPENAS).
“It already incorporates many proposals, the figure is worth 9.6 billion US dollars in the form of projects, whether it is a project that is already underway or a new project whose funding is already in place,” Zainal said.
A major theme raised by the 10th World Water Forum is “Water for Shared Prosperity”. The theme is in line with a global commitment to seek solutions for sustainable water resource enhancement and management to deal with uncertain climate change.
In addition, there is the subtheme “Sustainable Water Financing”. The forum will further discuss the financing mechanism of sustainable drinking water that is not only sourced from governments but also business entities.