President Joko Widodo the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia welcomed delegates to the World Hydropower Congress today with a commitment to the ongoing development of sustainable hydropower in Indonesia.

President Widodo expressed his appreciation for the World Hydropower Congress locating itself in Bali Indonesia this year and emphasised Indonesia’s full commitment to accelerating the country’s transition to green energy.

During his speech he said: "Our Earth is sick, this is no longer global warming, this is global boiling, temperature rises predict 210 million people will be short of water. I hope this Congress will help with international collaboration for sustainable hydropower to help develop a sustainable green global economy.”

Infrastructure development has been a priority during Widodo’s presidency with ‘The Energy Sector Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions’ setting out the way Indonesia will deliver commitments to clean energy transition, including the world’s largest Green Industrial Park in North Kalimantan which will be powered mostly by hydropower.

President Widodo was joined by Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Government of Indonesia, His Excellency the Premier of Sarawak and Malcolm Turnbull, President IHA and the former Prime Minister, Australia.

Minister Tasrif commented: “It is a great honour for Indonesia to host this event, in collaboration with the IHA and PLN. Renewable energy will power the development of Indonesia. We hope this Congress will contribute to innovations for global hydropower development and reach net zero emissions targets.”

The 2023 World Hydropower Congress is a vehicle turning climate ambition into action at the highest level. It brings together 1,000 decision makers, innovators and experts from industry, governments, finance, civil society and academia encompassing 200 speakers, from over 300 organisations representing 43 countries over three days. The event provides a stage for high-level policy statements, recommendations and commitments that will influence the global growth of sustainable hydropower.

Deliverables include reaching a consensus on policy and finance recommendations for advancing the clean energy transition to deliver COP28, breaking down barriers to the development of renewables by advancing policy and investment-driven solutions, demonstrating the importance of renewable technologies to facilitate the shift away from coal, and highlighting the immense untapped hydropower potential that exists in many regions of the world, particularly Asia and Africa, as well as business and networking opportunities for industry.

Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg, Premier, Government of Sarawak said: “Congratulations to Indonesia and IHA for bringing together the hydropower community to map development through sustainable hydropower. The first WHC was held in Sarawak Kuching 10 years ago and we welcome you back to south-east Asia for Congress 2023.”

Malcolm Turnbull, President of IHA and former Prime Minister of Australia commented: “It is wonderful to be with the men and women who will be delivering the net-zero transition across the world." He congratulated President Joko Widodo on Indonesia's ambition for 95GW powered by hydropower by 2060.

“I am looking forward to engaging with attendees during the mixture of sessions on offer. Together, through sustainable hydropower, we are powering sustainable growth.”