Indonesia and Netherlands celebrate 25 years of water cooperation on King's Day
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and the Netherlands celebrated their bilateral cooperation in the water sector over the past 25 years during the commemoration of King Willem-Alexander’s birthday at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.
Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Marc Gerritsen stated that water is what strengthens the friendship with Indonesia, given that both nations reside in archipelagic countries surrounded by oceans.
“We have partnered to address water sector challenges for 25 years, where we collaborate to tackle flooding, protect coastal areas, and ensure clean water and river supplies,” said Ambassador Gerritsen.
Indonesian and Dutch engineers, policymakers, and communities continue to work together to enhance water sector cooperation to have a greater impact on the wider community, he added.
Regarding recent cooperation, the Dutch Ambassador highlighted that a bilateral grant agreement was signed last week to fund a pilot project for coastal protection in Java in Demak and Cirebon.
Additionally, the Dutch Embassy launched the “green batik” initiative involving Dutch water experts to encourage the batik industry in Pekalongan to become more environmentally friendly, said Gerritsen.
On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) conveyed that water cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands has extended to various sectors and layers of development.
“We have spent a quarter of a century sharing expertise, implementing joint projects, and building trust in rivers, coasts, and communities in Indonesia,” said the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure.
AHY stated that Indonesia’s decision to establish water cooperation with the Netherlands was the right one, considering the Netherlands’ advanced flood control systems, dams, and canals that they have developed in their country.
He hopes that cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands in the water sector will continue and further encourage trust in collaborating in other sectors.
King’s Day, or Koningsdag, is the Netherlands’ national day to commemorate King Willem-Alexander’s birthday on 27 April.
The celebration of the Dutch King’s birthday at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday was attended by Coordinating Minister AHY and Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Social Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra, as well as several deputy ministers in the Red and White Cabinet.