The Indonesian government, led by the Minister of Public Works and Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, who also serves as the Chairman of the 10th World Water Forum, has outlined an extensive series of events in preparation for the upcoming international forum on water resource management.

Commencing on May 18, 2024, the forum will kick off with a Balinese Water Purification Ceremony at Kura-Kura Bali (KKB) on Saturday evening. This ceremony aims to showcase Bali's tradition of venerating water as a sacred element. "Approximately 2,000 participants will join this event, followed by a Gala Dinner at Garuda Wisnu Kencana on Sunday, May 19, 2024," Basuki announced in a written statement on Friday, May 17.

The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Monday morning, May 20, 2024, at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC). "The opening will be split into two locations: Mangupura Hall BIC for in-person attendees and an additional mirrored location. Around 6,000 people are expected at the opening," Basuki stated.

Following the opening ceremony, a high-level summit will be led by President Joko Widodo. "On Monday evening, there will be a Bali Art Carnival in Nusa Dua, showcasing Balinese artistic celebrations," added Basuki.

The World Water Forum will feature a Fair and Expo starting on Monday, May 20, 2024, at various locations including the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Bali Collection, and Kuta Beach. "The BNDCC will host 21 country pavilions and 126 organizations, while the Tsunami Shelter in Kuta will feature 70 pavilions, and the Bali Collection UMKM will have 51 pavilions," Basuki explained.

The forum's agenda spans from May 20-24, 2024, with a total of 283 sessions categorized into Political, Thematic, and Regional Processes to discuss water management strategies. "On Thursday, May 23, 2024, the Melasti Water Carnival will take place at Melasti Beach," Basuki added.

The closing ceremony will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Mangupura Hall, followed by a Cultural Night farewell at Taman Bhagawan. A field trip is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024, featuring visits to the Water Museum Subak in Tabanan, the Jatiluwih UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Batur in Kintamani, Ubud Cultural Village, and Bedugul Botanical Garden.

As of today, 14,000 participants from both national and international backgrounds have registered for the forum, with numbers expected to increase by the opening date. "The forum will be attended by eight Heads of State, three Deputy Prime Ministers, three special envoys, 19 Ministers or equivalent representatives, and 20 other officials and international organizations," Basuki elaborated.

For the Ministerial Meeting, Basuki noted the presence of senior officials from 132 countries and 27 international organizations, although final confirmations are still pending from several countries.

The 10th World Water Forum promises to be a landmark event, emphasizing the significance of global collaboration in water resource management. It also highlights Indonesia's commitment to sustainable practices and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Bali through various cultural events. The outcomes of this forum are expected to lead to actionable strategies for improving global water resource management.