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THE POSITION OF GOVERNMENT OF INDONESIA ON WCD'S REPORT

The Government of Indonesia (GOI) appreciate the WCD report and guidelines as a valuable step towards sustainable integrated development of water resources. The report has been discussed at length with various stakeholders and this paper presents the official position.

Indonesia is a developing country. From the point of view of economics, social aspect and environment and considering also the benefits and concerns about dams. Indonesia continues to pay serious attention to issues related to dams development everyone realizes that water and energy are the principal resources for the survival and development of human beings and their livelihoods it is axiomatic that" human beings cannot do without water".

Therefore, mankind should give priority to the use of water especially where this means alleviation of poverty in an environmental friendly way.

GOI would like to stress the following points. in response to WCD 's report.

1. The population of Indonesia is more than 200 millions and their livelihood has traditionally been based on agriculture. The country is equatorial and experiences marked wet and dry seasons. Catastrophic floods are frequent in the western parts of Indonesia and extreme droughts are common in the south-eastern parts.

2. Millions of people, in the urban as well CIS in the rural areas, lack access to water for drinking, sanitation facilities and other uses, especially during the dry season. More equitable distribution of the benefits of socio-economic development in the face of growing population depends on sustaining and improving water supplies. especially during the pronounced dry season.

3. Food security and self-sufficiency are critical and therefore agricultural development, especially the productions of rice must be supported by effective and efficient water storage. The construction of dams is therefore one of the most logical options. The GOI will in due time attempt to identify other options and implement these if found to be better or equally realistic to dam development in the prevailing conditions.

4. Reforestation and extension of forested areas are part of those efforts. However.those are nearly impossible because of the dense populations, a majority of whom, rely on traditional agrarian practices for their livelihood.

5. Just over ten percent of existing technical irrigation systems at present are served by water supplies from storage reservoirs.

6. Per capita energy consumption is still far below global averages and only 5% of the hydropower potential in li1donesia has been developed. Electricity demand rises at the rate of 15% per annum. Dams are required to generate possibly 70% of hydroelectric power potential.

Based on further analysis of the WCD report, GOI wish to state their position as follows:

Indonesia still sees dam development as an important option in water resources development. Indonesia cannot guarantee strict adherence to the 5 critical decision points and th 26 guidelines as formulated by the WCD. Indonesia would rather modify and/or formulate detailed guidelines for development itself whereby the WCD guidelines may serve as a reference for formulation.
The WCD recommendations may be used to formulate guidelines suitable to situation and conditions prevailing in Indonesia, especially local ones, as a reference for future dam development in Indonesia.
GOI will set up a team or commission to establish guidelines for dam development In Indonesia.

Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs
Prof. Dr. Dorodjatun Kuncoro - Jakti