…we have agreed on the final draft, which will be ratified by ministers on May 21, 2024.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Foreign Affairs Ministry informed that the final draft of the ministerial-level declaration of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) has been agreed upon and is ready to be unveiled at the forum.

Director general of multilateral cooperation at the ministry, Tri Tharyat, said that the declaration draft was refined after three meetings between countries at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris some time ago.

"From the three meetings, we have agreed on the final draft, which will be ratified by ministers on May 21, 2024," he announced at an online press conference on the 10th WWF and water diplomacy, which was followed from here on Monday.

He said that Indonesia, which led the political process of the drafting of the declaration, chaired the three meetings. The meetings were attended by more than 100 members of UNESCO and other international organizations, he informed.

Indonesia also consulted with many countries and organizations to reach a consensus on the declaration.

Related news: Indonesia propose ministerial declaration draft for 10th WWF in Bali

In addition, Tharyat said, during the declaration drafting process, his side found fundamental differences in water management between countries that control upstream rivers and downstream countries.

"There are also differences in views between countries that are very concerned about human rights, such as Western countries, and developing countries that are generally more concerned about prosperity than just human rights," he added.

The meeting also discussed Indonesia's proposal to establish a center of excellence for water and climate security, he said.

The center of excellence will be Indonesia's achievement as the host of the 10th WWF, he added.

Other proposals included in the declaration comprise the designation of World Lakes Day through a United Nations (UN) resolution and the mainstreaming of water management issues in developing countries on small islands and the list of national, regional, and international water projects in the Compendium of Concrete Deliverables and Actions that are inclusive but voluntary.

Related news: Indonesia to share water conservation notes at 10th WWF in Bali

Translator: Nabil I, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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