Bali, ABIM (20/5/2024) – The 10th World Water Forum’s evening banquet for state visitors was both festive and solemn. At the welcoming dinner held at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park on Sunday, May 19, 2024, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) of the Republic of Indonesia greeted his guests.
President Jokowi Arrives at GWK Cultural Park at 18.53 WITA with Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, and Acting Governor of Bali Sang Made Mahendra Jaya.
At 19.03 WITA, World Water Council (WWC) President Loïc Fauchon was the initial arrival. Dressed in a maroon Balinese endek shirt paired with black trousers, Fauchon was greeted by President Jokowi on the guest reception stage. Following a brief conversation, Fauchon proceeded directly to the banquet venue within the GWK premises.
Around 19.07 WITA, following shortly after, Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso arrived. He was dressed in a brown woven Sintang shirt, typical of Kalimantan, paired with black trousers.
At 19.07 WITA, Dutch special envoy Meike van Ginneken arrived, soon followed by the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UN), Dennis Francis, who was also attired in a brown patterned woven shirt.
At 19:13 WITA, French special envoy Barbara Pompili arrived, wearing a white shirt paired with a woven motif scarf and brown trousers. Following shortly after, at 19:17 WITA, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, Suhael Muhamed Al Mazroui, was accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof.
At 19.21 WITA, former Hungarian President Janos Ader was present wearing matching brown batik with his wife.
At 19.22 WITA, Tajikistan’s Prime Minister (PM), Qohir Rasulzoda, arrived, followed shortly after at 19.25 WITA by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Subsequently, Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere arrived, sporting a yellow and brown woven Sintang shirt.
President Jokowi welcomed the arrival of the Chairman of the Indonesian People’s Representative Council (DPR), Puan Maharani, at 19.30 WITA. She was dressed in a white shirt paired with a brown batik cloth skirt.
After all the guests of the 10th World Water Forum had entered the banquet room, President Jokowi proceeded to enter and delivered a welcoming address. The Head of State expressed his hope that the guests would enjoy the traditional Indonesian banquet and performances that had been arranged for them.
“Thank you for your participation. I hope that the spirit of this evening can bring us to work together to share access to clean water and sanitation for everyone,” said Joko Widodo.
The dinner was complemented by the melodious tunes and vibrant dances representing Indonesian culture. The event was attended by 2,300 guests, including 500 distinguished guest speakers.(ABIM)
