Water is so important that it has become part of world forum discussions.
The 10th World Water Forum (WWF) will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on May 18-25, 2024, to discuss global water challenges and to find common solutions.
The forum will feature a total of 280 sessions that will discuss four main aspects: water conservation, clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and natural disaster mitigation.
The event, themed "Water for Shared Prosperity," will be attended by 14 heads of state and government and around 50 thousand participants from within and outside the country.
The participants are expected to be able to propose concrete results on integrated water management for small islands.
The forum will also announce the establishment of a center of excellence, be a platform to share best practices in water management, and propose the designation of World Lakes Day.
The Indonesian Government, as the 10th WWF host, has also invited 43 ambassadors of friendly countries and four international organizations to participate and make the event a success.
While stakeholders will be busy speaking about water issues at the forum, Indonesians, especially domestic tourists, should support the smooth running of activities by not flocking to the event location points.
The forum only lasts a week, but for the success of the event, domestic travelers can play their part by traveling outside the venue locations.
The main activities, such as the opening ceremony and high-level meetings, will be held at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua on May 20-24, 2024.
Some side events include exhibitions at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), BICC, and the Kuta Beach.
On May 24, a cultural night will be organized at the Taman Bhagawan Park.
After the event closing, the forum participants will be invited to partake in field trips to enjoy the beauty of Bali, such as the Water Museum in Tabanan, the Jatiluwih UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Batur in Kintamani, and the Ubud Cultural Village.
Sustainable behavior
In addition to supporting the implementation of WWF under the role as members of society, people can also contribute to nature by glorifying the existence of water.
Like humans, nature also has laws, so people's behavior towards nature, including water, will be reciprocated. If people take good care of water, it will be friendly to them, but if not, water can become the source of hydrometeorological disasters.
Meanwhile, 97 percent of all water on and in the Earth is saline that cannot be consumed directly and only three percent can be used as drinking water. Moreover, some of that three percent is hidden deep in the ground.
Water resources that people can consume are only a small part of the Earth's total water, so it is imperative to maintain its sustainability. Otherwise, future generations will find it difficult to get clean water.
In order to preserve water, people living on this planet must have the awareness to take care of it. People can inculcate the following simple habits in their day-to-day lives:
1. Save water as much as one needs. Water can be reused for washing hands and feet as well as for taking bath.
2. Reuse. Used water that is not contaminated with soap, detergent, or chemicals can be reused. For example, water for washing vegetables can be used to water plants and water in the fish pond can be used to water the house garden.
3. Protect water. Wherever it is, whether in the sewers, rivers, or seas, people must protect water from being polluted by not throwing garbage into it.
If one already has the awareness to protect water from pollution, then call on others around or reprimand people who pollute water. Dumping garbage in water is environmentally harmful.
As a preventive measure, people need to educate one another about the importance of keeping water clean, so that mutual awareness is built.
4. Caring for water. People should engage in reforestation activities, such as planting trees in deforested land, or at least around the house environment, as an effort to conserve water.
Our part
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that the water crisis forecast in 2050 due to climate change can cause food insecurity. More than 500 million small-scale farmers, who produce 80 percent of the world's food, are the most vulnerable.
In response to this situation, Indonesia does not remain silent. President Joko Widodo has, on numerous occasions, called for global attention to the 10th WWF's theme of "Water for Shared Prosperity."
Next week, world leaders will congregate in Bali to discuss water issues.
However, the water problem cannot be automatically resolved in the week-long forum but it requires joint commitment in fulfilling the recommendations.
As the Earth's inhabitants, all people must do their part to carry out sustainable water conservation.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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