Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani drew attention to a stark discrepancy between global military- and water-related expenditures during the High-Level Meeting of the 10th World Water Forum.
"A latest study shows that the world spent US$2.4 trillion on military equipment in 2023. This figure is equivalent to 2.3 percent of the global GDP (gross domestic product)," she remarked in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Monday.
Maharani highlighted that based on data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), three countries with the highest spending on military equipment and facilities last year were the United States, China, and Russia.
In contrast, she pointed out that developing and poor countries tended to allocate water budgets equivalent to only 0.5 percent of their GDP.
The Indonesian parliament leaders consider the discrepancy utterly contradictory to what is actually needed by the world.
Maharani underscored that the international community is currently facing serious threats posed by climate change and water shortage.
She then expressed disappointment over the world's tendency to focus more on geopolitical issues, struggles for power, and economic competition.
In fact, she emphasized that issues related to the resilience of water resources are of vital essence.
"We seem to be misallocating resources," she stated.
Bearing all that in mind, Maharani expressed belief that the world would only be able to properly deal with water shortage if parliaments and governments start to boost budgets allocated for the procurement of clean water.
"Parliaments and governments share the responsibility to shift the world's condition from lacking water to being water-resilient," she affirmed.
In a bid to demonstrate the parliaments' commitment to supporting water initiatives, the DPR is planning to hold a parliamentary meeting that will convene four substantial topics on the occasion of the World Water Forum.
"Access to water and sanitation: A deal-breaker for achieving sustainable development"; "Innovative practices for inclusive and equitable access to water"; "Water at the heart of climate action"; and "Water diplomacy, cooperation and science for peace" are the four topics to be covered at the meeting.
Related news: WWC calls world community to become water warriors for water security
Related news: President outlines Indonesia's water infrastructure achievement
Related news: PUPR minister named Honorary Ambassador of Asia Water Council
"A latest study shows that the world spent US$2.4 trillion on military equipment in 2023. This figure is equivalent to 2.3 percent of the global GDP (gross domestic product)," she remarked in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Monday.
Maharani highlighted that based on data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), three countries with the highest spending on military equipment and facilities last year were the United States, China, and Russia.
In contrast, she pointed out that developing and poor countries tended to allocate water budgets equivalent to only 0.5 percent of their GDP.
The Indonesian parliament leaders consider the discrepancy utterly contradictory to what is actually needed by the world.
Maharani underscored that the international community is currently facing serious threats posed by climate change and water shortage.
She then expressed disappointment over the world's tendency to focus more on geopolitical issues, struggles for power, and economic competition.
In fact, she emphasized that issues related to the resilience of water resources are of vital essence.
"We seem to be misallocating resources," she stated.
Bearing all that in mind, Maharani expressed belief that the world would only be able to properly deal with water shortage if parliaments and governments start to boost budgets allocated for the procurement of clean water.
"Parliaments and governments share the responsibility to shift the world's condition from lacking water to being water-resilient," she affirmed.
In a bid to demonstrate the parliaments' commitment to supporting water initiatives, the DPR is planning to hold a parliamentary meeting that will convene four substantial topics on the occasion of the World Water Forum.
"Access to water and sanitation: A deal-breaker for achieving sustainable development"; "Innovative practices for inclusive and equitable access to water"; "Water at the heart of climate action"; and "Water diplomacy, cooperation and science for peace" are the four topics to be covered at the meeting.
Related news: WWC calls world community to become water warriors for water security
Related news: President outlines Indonesia's water infrastructure achievement
Related news: PUPR minister named Honorary Ambassador of Asia Water Council
Translator: Putu Indah, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
