Jakarta, 22 April 2025: ERIA, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and the University of Indonesia, co-organised a seminar titled ’Financing Clean Water: Strategies for Sustainable Investment in Developing Economies’ on 22 April in Jakarta.

The seminar served as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas and experiences on mobilising investment for the water sector, bringing together academics, government officials, private and state-owned enterprises, and financing institutions.

Opening Remarks and Keynotes

Naoto Okura, ERIA’s Director General for Research and Policy Design, opened the seminar by thanking the co-organisers and attendees. He highlighted the growing urgency of water challenges in the ASEAN region and the importance of collaboration to address them.

Dr Teguh Eko Winiharto, Director of Business Unit Development, welcomed participants on behalf of the University of Indonesia, expressing appreciation to international experts and encouraging continued research and innovation in water-related fields.

Key Takeaways from the Panels

Panel 1: Water Management Policies for Secure and Quality Supply

Moderated by Achmad Solikhin (ERIA), this session featured prominent water experts. Dr Mohammad Irfan Saleh of Bappenas shared insights on Indonesia’s water security and future strategies.

Professor Asit K. Biswas (University of Glasgow) discussed affordability and access to quality water, while Professor Cecilia Tortajada stressed the importance of circularity in water resource management.

The panellists agreed that good governance, localised strategies, and context-specific solutions are key to sustainable water management.

Panel 2: Financing Water as Critical Urban Infrastructure

Moderated by Teuku Riefky (University of Indonesia), the second session explored financial strategies for water provision.

Professor Guy Alaerts (IHE Delft) outlined the investment gap and ways to improve water project bankability.

Dr Fauziah Zen (ERIA) discussed the critical role of public finance in addressing market failures.

Andri Satria (PDAM Padang City) and Mohamad Selim (PT Moya Indonesia Holdings) shared their experiences from public and private sector perspectives. The panel called for greater political will and more enabling regulations to unlock sustainable water investment.

Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Dr Riatu Qibthiyyah, Special Economic Adviser to the Minister of Bappenas and Lecturer at the University of Indonesia, closed the seminar by emphasising the need for a holistic and integrated approach to water provision – supported by innovative financing, enhanced coordination, and robust knowledge sharing.

The outcomes of this seminar will inform ERIA’s ongoing study, to be published as a book, aimed at advancing clean water access across developing economies.