Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry expects Dutch technology and experience to be employed to assist Indonesia in developing disaster-resilient cities and managing water resources in an integrated and efficient manner.

Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono noted in a written statement received here on Saturday that he and Minister of Infrastructure and Water Resources of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Harbers, had agreed upon a memorandum of understanding that stipulated cooperation on phase 5 of water resources.

The agreement between the duo was signed in Den Haag, the Netherlands, on Friday, June 3, at local time.

“I look forward to the presence of Dutch technology and experience for the development of disaster-resilient cities, integrated smart water management, water management, and low land development,” Basuki noted.

He affirmed that Indonesia’s collaboration with the Netherlands on water resources aspects had been established since 2000 and has grown ever stronger in supporting the management of water resources as a priority listed in the 2020-2024 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and the National Strategic Project (PSN).

The minister also extended invitation to Harbers to attend the 2024 World Water Forum (WWF) in Bali. WWF, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” served as the right opportunity to pursue the realization of Sustainable Development Goals in the water sector as well as to address various challenges related to food security, including the use of swamp land outside Java, energy security, and climate resilience.

He also expects support from the Netherlands in the form of vocational education instructors at the Public Works Polytechnic in Semarang.

“I want students to be able to master specific, practical skills (which enable them to delve into the) workforce,” he stated.

“We are truly delighted that the MoU between Indonesia and the Netherlands in terms of water resources can finally be signed because we have been waiting for a long time and had not been able to come around it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe this can further (improve) the cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands,” he remarked.

Prior to meeting with Harbers, the minister held a meeting with the CEO of the Global Center of Adaptation (GCA) Patrick Verkooijen. At this meeting, he invited the GCA advance team to visit Indonesia at the end of June 2022 to discuss plans with the ministry in order to develop an action program.

“We will propose to the president to (make this a part of) the G20 agendas in Bali, in which the adaptation factor to climate change is vital in every policy setting and development program, so that it offers tangible value and impact on the economy,” he added.

The minister’s entourage comprised Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mayerfas; Inspector General of Public Works and Public Housing, T. Iskandar; Expert staff on Technology, Industry, and Environment at the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, Endra S. Atmawidjaja; and Water Management Expert Arie Setiadi Moerwanto.

Source: Antara News