Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy deployed seven naval ships to secure the Straits of Bali and Lombok, Bali Sea, and Indian Ocean during the 10th World Water Forum that commenced in Nusa Dua, Bali Island, on Saturday.
The naval ships include KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992, KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata-331, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332, KRI Ahmad Yani-351, KRI Sultan Hasanuddin-366, KRI Layang-635, and KRI Marlin-877.
According to a press statement that the Second Fleet Command's Information Division released to ANTARA here, Friday (May 17) the ships belong to the VVIP Joint Integrated Security Command's (Kogabpadpam's) maritime task force.
To secure the 10th World Water Forum, themed "Water for Shared Prosperity," the navy dispatched three thousand personnel.
Commander of the Navy's Second Fleet (Pangkoarmada II) Rear Admiral Ariantyo Condrowibowo on Friday checked the navy personnel's readiness and main weapons systems used for securing the eight-day event.
During a security roll call, held at Tanjung Benoa Port's pier, he warned them of re-checking on their preparations for securing the World Water Forum taking place in Nusa Dua from May 18 to May 25.
In addition to the seven vessels, including the dr. Radjiman hospital ship, the navy also deployed Sea Riders and two helicopters.
Delegates
According to the press statement that the event's communications and media team made available to local and international journalists, delegates had started arriving in Bali on Wednesday, May 15.
More delegates from 132 participating countries and international organizations arrived on Friday or a day prior to the commencement of the 10th World Water Forum on Saturday, May 18.
Regarding the number of heads of state attending the forum, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono was quoted as saying that seven leaders had been scheduled to be present at the event.
Hadimuljono, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the forum's National Organizing Committee, stated that the leaders come from Timor-Leste, Fiji, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, Hungary, Morocco, and Indonesia as the host country.
In addition, the deputy prime ministers of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Slokavia, as well as special envoys from the Netherlands, France, and the United Arab Emirates would attend the forum, he remarked.
A total of 105 ministers are also expected to attend the forum, according to the forum's communications and media team's press statement that ANTARA accessed on Saturday.
Agenda
Meanwhile, in his message published on the forum's website, President Joko Widodo highlighted the importance of collaboration among nations to promote an efficient and integrated management of water resources.
By doing so, water can be well managed and used for common prosperity, according to the president, better known as Jokowi.
To this end, he emphasized several agenda items that need to be prioritized: water conservation efforts; availability of clean water and sanitation; food and energy security; as well as mitigation of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.
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Translator: Genta TM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Tia Mutiasari