President Joko Widodo has highlighted the importance of water management for human livelihood, warning that mismanagement could slow economic growth, provoke conflicts, and become a source of disasters.

During the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Bali on Monday, the Indonesian President stressed the dual crisis faced by the world: "Too much water, as well as too little water, both can cause problems globally."

In the past decade, he pointed out, Indonesia has bolstered its water infrastructure by constructing 42 dams, expanding 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks, adding 2,156 kilometers of flood control and coastal protection systems, and rehabilitating 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks.

Furthermore, Jokowi mentioned the development of Southeast Asia's largest floating solar power plant at Cirata Reservoir in Indonesia, signaling the country's commitment to sustainable energy advancements.

According to Jokowi, the World Water Forum in 2024 is a pivotal platform to rejuvenate concrete actions and collective commitments to achieving integrated water resource management.

Indonesia is advocating for three main objectives: the enhancement of solidarity and inclusivity principles to reach collective solutions, particularly for small island nations facing water scarcity; the empowerment of hydro-diplomacy for concrete and innovative cooperation, steering clear of competition over transboundary water resources management; and strengthening political leadership as a key to the success of various collaborations towards sustainable water resilience.

At the event, Jokowi also unveiled four new initiatives spearheaded by Indonesia, including the proposal for a World Lake Day, the establishment of a Center of Excellence in the Asia-Pacific region, the implementation of sustainable water management in small island nations, and the mobilization of water projects.

"Water is not just a natural commodity, but a collaborative product that unites us all, which necessitates collective efforts to preserve it," he emphasized.