From 18 to 25 May, the EU will play a pivotal role at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia, centred around the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity.” This platform serves as a crucial arena for the EU to accelerate global action in response to the pressing water crisis, which is exacerbated by overdemand, mismanagement, climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
As part of the EU Green Week, the European Commission will unveil the #WaterWiseEU campaign, a significant step towards promoting innovative water management approaches. At the Forum, the EU will announce its participation in the Freshwater Challenge, a commitment to restore degraded rivers and wetlands by 2030. Furthermore, the EU will bolster global water cooperation by launching a pioneering initiative with the International Network of Basin Organisations to strengthen basin organisations worldwide.
At the Forum, the EU will proudly showcase its research and innovation, particularly through the co-funded EU partnership Water4All in a dedicated pavilion, and the Horizon Europe Restore our Ocean & Waters Mission. This participation underscores the EU’s unwavering commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. The EU will advocate for the full implementation of the commitments made to the Water Action Agenda, and for the enhancement of water cooperation as a powerful tool for security, stability, prosperity, and peace.
The EU, with a strategic focus, will showcase its support for the development of water information systems as essential tools for water resource management and decision-making at the World Water Forum, which brings together international water sector stakeholders every three years.
“The EU commends Indonesia for hosting the 10th World Water Forum, an important international event to discuss global water issues. The EU sees water cooperation as a vector for peace, security and regional stability. Integrated Water Resources Management enables us to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation with our partners. The EU has a wealth of experience and tools at its disposal, which it wishes to put to good use with the International Network of Basin Organizations, to a network of technical and institutional exchanges between basin organizations. This initiative is part of a broader approach to implementing the Global Gateway,” EU Ambassador to Indonesia Denis Chaibi, stated.
The European Commission will play a pivotal role in coordinating the topic “Sound water supply and demand” under the sub-theme “Water Security and Prosperity” at the Forum. A Ministerial Declaration will be adopted on 20 May.
