Indonesia Partners with Netherlands to Tackle Floods and Sea Level Rise

The Indonesian government is bolstering cooperation with the Netherlands to confront various challenges in the water sector, ranging from floods and land subsidence to rising sea levels. This momentum coincides with 25 years of bilateral partnership in water management, which has encompassed flood control, coastal protection, clean water provision, and river restoration. The Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Marc Gerritsen, stated that both countries share similar challenges and interests in water management. “Water is not just a resource, but a force that shapes our geography, economy, and future. For 25 years, we have worked together on various water management solutions,” he said during the King’s Day celebration at the Dutch Embassy complex in South Jakarta on Thursday (23/4/2026). He added that cooperation is now being enhanced, particularly to protect Java’s north coast, which is vulnerable to abrasion and sea level rise. Last week, the two countries also signed a grant for a pilot project in Demak and Cirebon as part of these efforts. Beyond focusing on physical infrastructure, Gerritsen emphasised the importance of sustainable and community-based approaches. One example is the Green Batik Challenge initiative in Pekalongan, which encourages the batik industry to be more environmentally friendly through efficient water management. As concrete support, the Netherlands also provided €3 million, or approximately Rp 60 billion, in emergency aid for flood handling in Aceh and North Sumatra at the end of last year. Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) affirmed that water is one of the top priorities in the national development agenda. “Food, energy, and water resilience are at the core of Indonesia’s national agenda. Water is the foundation of our future development,” AHY stated on the same occasion. He assessed that cooperation with the Netherlands is highly strategic, given that the country is one of the world’s leaders in water management. Indonesia, as the world’s largest archipelagic nation, faces similar challenges, from droughts during the dry season to floods during extreme rainfall. “This collaboration is important, both in terms of technology, innovation, investment, and experience exchange. We invite the Netherlands to continue to be involved in major projects in Indonesia,” said AHY. Several collaborative projects are already underway, such as nature-based coastal protection in Demak and North Java Coast, flood and land subsidence handling in Semarang, and river basin rehabilitation in East Java and Central Kalimantan. Looking ahead, this cooperation is also directed towards supporting the giant seawall project on Java’s north coast, one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects to address climate change impacts. “Water can be a challenge, but also an opportunity. With strong partnerships, we can build resilience and a safer future,” said AHY.