According to reporting from Antara News, the Indonesian Navy is planning to put seven ships and two helicopters on standby in Bali on May 13, five days before the 10th World Water Forum (WWF), which is scheduled for May 18 to 25.
Head of the Navy Information Office, First Admiral I Made Wira Hady Arsanta, said that the seven vessels will comprise of two frigates, one corvette, one hospital ship, and three patrol ships, all under the control of the military region of the Navy Fleet Command II.
“We will also deploy two helicopters, searider boats, and LCVP (landing crafts),” he said, adding that the navy would also dispatch a total of 1,060 soldiers to ensure security during this year’s World Water Forum.
Head of the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ (TNI’s) Information Office, Major General Nugraha Gumilar, said that the three forces of the TNI would contribute to deploying a total of 12,000 personnel, reports Antara News.
He explained that the soldiers will be tasked with not only ensuring security but also guarding international official guests and taking anticipatory measures against the potential for natural disasters.
The major general stated that the soldiers would be stationed in Bali at least one week prior to the forum while noting that some of them had even started coming to the province since last month, according to Antara News.
The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry stated on its website that the World Water Forum constitutes a global-level meeting that places its focus on water resource resilience and sustainable water management.
The first edition of the triennial forum took place in Marrakech, Morocco, in 1997. During a session of the World Water Council in Senegal in 2022, Indonesia was appointed as host for the upcoming forum.
Representatives of around 172 countries will come to Bali to participate in 166 meetings during the forum that will adopt “Water for Shared Prosperity” as its theme.
Source: Antara News
Stock photo by Nopparuj Lamaikul on Unsplash
