RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is looking to deepen its partnership with the Netherlands in water management, highlighting both countries’ shared expertise and long history of collaboration.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) made the statement on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during the Dutch King’s Day celebration in Jakarta, emphasized Indonesia’s openness to new cooperation in the water sector.

“Indonesia welcomes investment, innovation, and knowledge exchange with the Netherlands in smart water solutions and research collaboration that connects our future generations of engineers,” he said.

AHY noted that the Netherlands is among the world’s most advanced nations in water management and infrastructure, from dams and canals to integrated systems.

He pointed to ongoing joint initiatives, including coastal restoration and mangrove rehabilitation in Demak and northern Java, river basin restoration in East Java, lowland farming recovery in Central Kalimantan, and the Ocean Cleanup project to reduce marine plastic pollution.

“These projects provide tangible solutions, such as addressing land subsidence, flooding, and water scarcity in Semarang,” he explained, adding that 25 years of bilateral cooperation in water management have delivered real benefits for Indonesian communities.

Dutch Ambassador Marc Gerritsen also announced a new bilateral grant agreement signed last week to fund pilot coastal protection projects in Demak and Cirebon. The embassy further launched a “green batik” initiative in Pekalongan, involving Dutch water experts to help make the batik industry more environmentally sustainable. ***