On 23 May 2024, UNU-IAS co-organized a side event of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali, Indonesia. Held at the Japan Pavilion, the event discussed enhancing water security in cities in Asia, focusing on societal resilience, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.
Opening the session, Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS) underscored the urgent need to improve water security by mobilizing and enhancing essential skills, knowledge, equipment and resources. Kensuke Fukushi (Adjunct Professor, UNU-IAS; Director, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo) delivered a keynote speech assessing the sustainability of freshwater systems by using composite indicators that span social, economic, environmental and built capital. A keynote speech by Raymond Valiant (Member of the Indonesian National Water Council) discussed water management challenges in Indonesia, and the impacts of climate and sociopolitical change on water security in the country.
Martiwi Diah Setiawati (Research Fellow, UNU-IAS) moderated a panel discussion featuring young people's insights on water security in three locations in Asia: Southern Bali, Indonesia; Manila, the Philippines; and Colombo, Sri Lanka. Panelists noted the importance of protecting natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, and emphasized that technology and innovation, cross-sectoral collaboration and international partnerships are essential for enhancing water security in the region.
The event was organized by UNU-IAS in partnership with the Institute of Future Initiatives (IFI) at the University of Tokyo.
