UPH as a Hub for Cross-Sectoral Dialogue on Sustainable Water Management and SDG Integration

TANGERANG, 2023 – In pursuit of advancing Indonesia’s sustainable development agenda, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) hosted the National Seminar on Large Dams and the Annual Meeting of the Indonesian National Committee on Large Dams (KNI-BB) 2023, held on 8–9 December 2023 at UPH Lippo Village, Tangerang. This two-day national forum embodied UPH’s commitment to fostering cross-sectoral dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas related to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

The seminar served as a convergence point for government officials, academics, researchers, and private sector representatives, drawing more than 2,000 participants, 75 speakers, and over 50 academic papers. Among the distinguished attendees were Dr. Ir. Mochamad Basuki Hadimuljono, M.Sc., Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR); Ir. Bob Arthur Lombogia, M.Si., Director General of Water Resources; Airlangga Mardjono, S.T., M.T., Chairperson of KNI-BB; and Dr. Stephanie Riady, B.A., M.Ed., Executive Director of the Pelita Harapan Education Foundation (YPPH). Their collective presence signified a multi-stakeholder commitment to addressing Indonesia’s water security, renewable energy, and climate adaptation challenges through sustainable dam development.

The seminar discussions centered on six key issues:

 1. Climate-resilient dam construction and management;

 2. Future challenges in dam and levee development;

 3. Dam safety amid extreme weather and seismic risks;

 4. The role of dams in renewable energy generation;

 5. Enhancing water resource governance; and

 6. Advancing integrated risk management and sustainability frameworks.

Through its active role in hosting and facilitating this landmark event, UPH demonstrated its leadership in initiating and participating in cross-sectoral SDG dialogues. The university effectively positioned itself as a collaborative hub for knowledge exchange between government institutions, professional organizations, and academia. By bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and scholars under one forum, the KNI-BB National Seminar at UPH reinforced the principle that sustainable development thrives on partnership, a partnership where higher education serves as both a convener and a contributor to Indonesia’s collective journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.