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Alumnus Dr Moerwanto on how the World Water Forum aims to achieve prosperity for all

Arie Setiadi Moerwanto

Creating a communication network to help achieve prosperity for all, that is the aim of the upcoming World Water Forum. IHE Delft alumnus Dr Arie Setiadi Moerwanto is Vice Chairman of the Programme and Session Division in the National Committee for the 10th World Water Forum. The forum to be held in Bali, Indonesia in May, is the world’s biggest water conference.

IHE Delft events at World Water Forum

What is your role in the National Committee at the 10th World Water Forum?

In this role, I am tasked with overseeing the coordination of the programme and sessions, organising the high-level panels and speakers.

It is quite a challenge, because my role is actually at the core of the success of the Forum.

What does the forum want to achieve?

In general, we aim to build up a communication network with innovative working groups, which promote the importance of water for achieving prosperity for all.

Indonesia is committed to establishing and leading the Centre of Excellence for Water and Climate Resilience, with a focus on tropical regions and small islands. Additionally, we aim to set up a South-South and South-North cooperation in water resources management, thus advancing integrated water resources management for small islands.

"We aim to build up a communication network with innovative working groups, which promote the importance of water for achieving prosperity for all".
Dr. Arie Setiadi Moerwanto

What are Indonesia’s greatest water-related challenges?

The most significant challenges facing Indonesia are demography, geography, the Ring of Fire and finances. Indonesia has 17,000 islands, however, over half the population lives on only one island, Java. Developing the other islands requires financial resources and innovative financial mechanisms, as traditional financing schemes will not suffice. The vulnerability of small islands underscores the urgency of addressing these issues. Indonesia must take proactive measures to overcome these challenges.

How will the World Water Forum contribute to solving Indonesia’s water-related challenges?

It will take a lot of preparation. So, first we ask, what is the most significant water problem in the country? And the next question will be, how will the forum contribute to solving this problem? Indonesia needs to address the challenges it faces by creating a strategy to solve the abovementioned problems.

The forum will help to set up concrete action in the form of cooperation, joint research, exchange of knowledge and business development. To solve the financial issues innovation will require the establishment of a collaboration between innovation, water endowment and global water funds.

"The forum will help to set up concrete action in the form of cooperation, joint research, exchange of knowledge and business".
Dr. Arie Setiadi Moerwanto

As an alumnus, how do you think IHE Delft can impact water-related issues in Indonesia?

There are many IHE Delft alumni from Indonesia and other countries who are engaged in the organisation of the forum. IHE Delft could help to solve water-related issues in Indonesia by joining the Centre of Excellence, on water and climate resilience that is to be set up. This project will start by opening various Training Centres. During the World Water Forum, working groups for the water resources for small islands will be launched as well as a group on lake restoration and one for innovation and finance. IHE Delft could join the Centre of Excellence. That will help to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and data. By learning about Indonesia and its problems and working with other institutions, we can solve the problems in Indonesia and in other countries with similar problems.

Moerwanto completed his studies in 1990 and went on to become Director of Water Resource Management in Indonesia. In 2017, he was honoured with the IHE Delft Alumni Award.