This year’s World Water Forum (WWF) is a significant one as it marks the events 10th anniversary
The jubilee edition is hosted by Indonesia and will take place in Bali under the main theme of ‘Water for shared prosperity’. The event will officially open with a traditional Balinese water purification ceremony, followed by 6 days of knowledge sharing, presenting, listening and networking.
Liliane Geerling, Programme Coordinator for Partners for Water and Ivo van der Linden, Delegated Representative for Indonesia discuss the importance of this event and the relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia.
Liliane Geerling – Programme Coordinator, Partners for Water
‘At the WWF, we will present the Netherlands as a “Centre of Excellence with a shared pavilion where we showcase our broad expertise and knowledge related to water security. Partners for Water serves as host, but there are many other organisations involved, such as the Dutch embassy, Dutch companies and several Indonesian organisations. We feel that by attending the WWF we will benefit greatly because it will bring together so many stakeholders including; governments, multilateral institutions, academia and businesses.’
Enhancing cooperation
‘The pavilion will offer a comprehensive programme with lots of opportunities for interaction and in-depth sessions. For example, we are organising some sessions around the theme “Status and trends in global water cooperation”, where we will discuss what makes water cooperation work, how we can enhance bilateral cooperation and which role the international multilateral system should play. Another example is a presentation by the Ecoshape consortium about their research into Nature-based Solutions for increased water resilience in South-East Asia.’
‘At this year’s WWF, there will be many young water enthusiasts attending which is a great idea as after all they’re the future of the water sector. This is why we involved them in the run up to the event and it will continue to engage with them during and afterwards. One of the “youth activities” at the forum is a “pressure cooker challenge” (Raincarft Bali). Young professionals must come up with solutions to specific water challenges on the spot and then present them. I will be part of the jury and am very curious to hear what they come up with.’
Water action agenda
‘For me the WFF will be successful if, through our pavilion, we can spark discussions on how to advance innovative water solutions and how we can make these inclusive to all. Following that, I hope we can share knowledge and approaches towards water security for all. I also hope we can build upon the Water Action Agenda, which was launched at the UN Water Conference in New York in 2023. Since then, we’ve taken the lead on further developing this agenda and we hope to continue this in Bali. There is plenty of overlap between the action agenda and the themes of the WWF so I’m confident we will manage this.’
Ivo van der Linden – Delegated Representative, Indonesia
‘The fact that this year’s World Water Forum (WWF) is taking place in Bali is special for the Netherlands, due to our long-standing relationship with Indonesia. This collaboration was formalised in 2007 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), but we have been working together for much longer. We do this in an integrated, inclusive, sustainable and equal manner. We want to commend Indonesia for hosting this WWF and applaud their leadership role in addressing global water and climate challenges. We will help them out wherever we can, to ensure this edition is a memorable one.’
‘Indonesia is developing rapidly and we have ambitious goals regarding our collaboration. This includes new ways of working, where we work together to create an agenda and activities. As we’re both delta countries, we face common challenges such as coastal erosion and rising sea levels. We’re not only partners on water issues, but we also collaborate on other topics too, like renewable energy, sustainable cities and agriculture innovation. But water is an important driver for our broader collaboration.’
Shared knowledge agenda
As we knew that this year’s WWF would be hosted in Bali, we’ve been working together with the Indonesian Government to organise several joint activities. One aspect of this is giving young people a greater platform, as Liliane already explained. In addition to that, we also created a shared “knowledge agenda” for the event, which will culminate in two panel sessions that we’re jointly moderating. In one of them we will discuss small islands development and how we can help mitigate the water problems they face, like a lack of fresh water or climate change-related challenges.’
In the coming years, we will continue investing in our relationship with Indonesia through enhanced dialogue and aligning policy agendas. Part of that process includes evaluating our past collaboration and discussing how we can further improve it. During these sessions, we also include other partners such as the Asian Development Bank as they can use their funding programmes to help turn ideas and plans into concrete, actionable projects.
For more information about the Netherlands Pavilion programme, visit the event page.
David Mornout, Junior Programme Manager at MetaMeta – a social enterprise in sustainable water and land management – will be attending the World Water Forum in Bali this month
His involvement in the forum is no coincidence, as David was already active in youth advocacy during his studies. “I gained considerable experience as the National Director at the International Association for Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences (IAAS),” David explains.
This background forms the foundation for his role in Bali, where he will act as a bridge-builder between different cultures and areas of expertise.
Bali Youth Plan
Through the Bali Youth Plan, David actively participates in discussions and sessions that focus on political, thematic, or regional issues. This involvement aims to engage youth as equal partners in all aspects of the WWF, emphasizing their role as equal stakeholders. The 60-member youth team is essential in bringing the youth perspective into the broader conversation about water management.
Netherlands Pavilion at the Bali World Water Forum
At the Netherlands pavilion, organised by Partners for Water, David will lead a session together with colleagues from the RVO’s ‘Reversing the Flow’ programme. This session will focus on knowledge sharing and best practices on locally-led adaptation. “These sessions are key for passing on knowledge we hold and learning from others at the same time,” David explains. The Netherlands, which has a significant international role in water management, doesn’t have all the answers. A good example of this is the recent funding awarded for a Dutch-Indian knowledge exchange and research project. This funding will help our country learn more about citizen participation in early warning for floods and drought, while India can gain from Dutch expertise in riverine measurements.
Listening and connecting are essential to achieving ‘water for shared prosperity
Impact is made together
“Impact is only achieved through collaboration,” David says. “This is where MetaMeta excels, and it aligns perfectly with my vision for the forum.” Collaboration is vital, especially in water management where global challenges require solutions that cross borders. It’s about working together on themes and with people. The past few years, I’ve noticed increasing connections between water, nature, and food. For example, I co-organised an event with IAAS and MetaMeta, alongside the Islamic Development Bank, at last year’s United Nations Water Conference. We discussed the complex relation between water, food, energy, and ecosystems in the MENA region. Although this kind of collaboration is essential and makes sense, the complexity can sometimes slow down action. We must all stay alert to ensure that it doesn’t.
Agents of change
David’s approach is practical and aimed at achieving clear results. “I aim to bring back new contacts, ideas, and partnerships that can help us make an impact on a larger scale,” he explains. The youth plan operates under the motto ‘to position young people as agents of change and inspire more youth to take action for water.’ This approach calls for a broad perspective while maintaining a focus on action-oriented behavior. “If we can take even a small, concrete step toward achieving global water goals at Bali, I’ll be very satisfied.”
If we can take even a small, concrete step toward achieving global water goals at Bali, I’ll be very satisfied
World Water Forum expectations
With ‘Water for Shared Prosperity’ as its theme, the World Water Forum offers a vital space for important conversations about the future of water. “It’s not only about your own knowledge sharing but also about listening to others and forming connections,” David notes. “I’m excited to discover the range of ideas and approaches that the forum will bring, which will also help me look beyond my own water bubble.”
With the Netherlands pavilion from Partners for Water and youth representation by David, the World Water Forum will have a substantial delegation from the Netherlands. Stay tuned to our website for the latest updates from the WWF.
Taking place in Bali, Indonesia, from 18-24 May 2024, the World Water Forum is the largest international conference in the water sector attracting a range of stakeholders
Including governments, multilateral institutions, academia, civil society and the business sector. Held every three years, it presents an opportunity for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practice on a variety of water related topics.
What we offer
Are you a Dutch company or organisation aiming to work or already working in the international water sector? If so, please join us at the Netherlands pavilion at the World Water Forum. Hosted by Partners for Water, the 75m2 exhibition space will include network areas and room for presentations. It will attract international customers and potential partners who will learn more about the innovative approaches and state-of-the-art solutions that the Dutch water sector has to offer.
How registration works
Registration is now open to host a session in the Netherlands Pavilion. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please email Ylva Veldhuis. You will receive an email by the end of March indicating whether your submission has been accepted.
Further details
Upon acceptance, you will receive a designated time slot in advance. Host your innovative inspiring panel discussion or workshop for a maximum of thirty individuals. For audio and visual requirements, we use a Silent Disco System and offer two microphones along with a presentation screen. A technician will be present onsite to assist. The space is set up in a theatre presentation style.
- Location: Netherlands Pavilion
- Date: Monday 20 May until Saturday 25 May 2024
- Email: For more information, please contact Ylva Veldhuis
Partners for Water is a Dutch government programme that works on solving water issues around the world. We do this through longterm cooperation with local partners and the Dutch water sector. We encourage knowledge exchange, innovation and an integrated approach. This is how we make an impact in the field of water security for people, plants and animals.
