Menko Infra: Water Security the Foundation for Economic Growth

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development (Menko Infra) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has said that water security is economic security, as it forms the foundation for sustainable economic growth.

“Water supports food security, public health, climate resilience and energy security. So when we invest in water, we are not only investing in dams, reservoirs, pipes or treatment facilities, but in the foundation on which communities grow and the economy develops rapidly,” said AHY in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

He added that water management needs to be carried out in an integrated way, from the health of river basins (daerah aliran sungai, or DAS) and the provision of raw water and irrigation, to drinking water and sanitation, through to flood control, coastal protection and nature-based solutions.

According to AHY, this approach must go hand in hand with the development of resilient cities and infrastructure.

He also stressed that water challenges cannot be resolved through infrastructure development carried out in isolation.

River pollution, sedimentation, flooding, land subsidence and rising sea levels are interconnected problems that require a cross-sector response.

“Water resilience does not happen by chance. Water resilience must be planned, built and, ultimately, invested in,” said AHY.

He therefore called for stronger collaboration between the government, the business sector, financing institutions, academics, communities and development partners to turn water security needs into concrete and impactful investments.

In his view, assured water supplies, healthy river basins, safe sanitation, and protection from floods and coastal risks are prerequisites for a safer society, a stronger economy and sustainable growth.

Water security is an important part of economic resilience and a foundation for sustainable growth. However, the availability of water that is safe, sufficient and sustainably managed is currently facing a number of challenges and crises.

AHY emphasised that sustainability is an effort to build resilience, strengthen competitiveness and improve the quality of life of the public. This includes water security as a foundation for growth, economic development and civilisation.