Voice of the youth : A Year of Concrete Action for the Bali Youth Plan: Follow-up to the 10th World Water Forum

By Achmad Solikhin, Youth Delegate, Asia-Pacific region, World Water Council 

Nearly a year has passed since the 10th World Water Forum took place in Bali from May 18-25, 2024. Under Indonesia and council's partnership, the Forum yielded significant outcomes, including the World Lake Day Initiative, the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Water and Climate Resilience, and the promotion of Integrated Water Resource Management on Small Islands.

A key driver of the Forum’s success was youth participation. The Bali Youth Plan, an official subsidiary forum, was seamlessly integrated into political, thematic, and regional discussions. To maintain momentum, follow-up actions have been taken across different stages. At the forum, the Bali Youth Targets were developed to enhance youth engagement in water governance, education, and employment. Post-event, international youth organizations like the International Water Association (IWA) and UNESCO’s Global Water Youth Network (GWYN) launched initiatives to strengthen young professionals’ leadership. IWA completed a 12-month leadership program, while GWYN plans a global youth dialogue in June 2025, shaping discussions ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. Meanwhile, World Water Council Youth Delegates are organizing an advocacy training project to equip 300 young professionals with leadership skills in water governance.

Indonesian youth have also been actively engaged through initiatives such as the Indonesia Wave Program, Making Waves, Youth Peatland Stewardship Camp, and the Indonesia Water Warriors Foundation. The Four Water-Pillar Strategies are being implemented to ensure sustained impact.

A major milestone in this follow-up process was the meeting held on February 27-28, 2025, to monitor commitments made during the Forum. Key youth representatives, including Niel Andhika, Karishma Asoodani, Sabrina Farah Salsabila, and Tarasinta, participated in High-Level Dialogues, the Regional Ripple Effect session, and a Roundtable discussion. They shared insights on the Bali Youth Plan’s achievements, including engaging over 8,000 participants and advancing youth-led water initiatives.

Looking ahead, youth will play a central role in the 11th World Water Forum in Saudi Arabia. The host nation has committed to fostering more innovative and concrete youth-led actions, ensuring that the Bali Youth Plan’s legacy continues to drive impactful change. The Riyadh Water Youth Committee Formation aims to build upon these efforts, reinforcing youth engagement in global water governance.