Dutch-Indonesian mission strengthens ties and sparks action
From 15 to 19 June 2025, over 100 Dutch organisations travelled to Jakarta and Semarang as part of the Netherlands economic mission to Indonesia. Among them: 35 water professionals from businesses, knowledge institutions and government, participating in the water track coordinated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jakarta and the Netherlands Water Partnership. Their goal: deepen collaboration, identify opportunities, and co-create solutions to Indonesia’s pressing water challenges.
Water opportunities in Indonesia
Indonesia – a rapidly growing middle-income country with over 270 million people – offers clear opportunities for collaboration. The Netherlands is its largest European investor, with €7 billion in bilateral trade. But beyond economics, the partnership is rooted in a shared struggle with water: land subsidence, rising sea levels, urban water stress and water pollution.
In North Java, land is sinking by up to 20 cm per year. Clean water access remains limited, and coastal zones are under threat. At the same time, Indonesia is investing in infrastructure, exploring nature-based solutions, and preparing for climate resilience. This mission connected Dutch expertise with local ambition.
Dialogue at the highest level
The mission kicked off with a plenary session featuring high-level keynote speeches from both countries, addressed to all participants. Speakers included the Dutch Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Relations and the Indonesian Minister for Economic Affairs. This was followed by a dedicated water track programme
"We must act together to address water challenges that cross borders," Ms. Marsudi emphasised, echoing the collaborative spirit that defined the week.
Mr. Irfan Saleh, Director of Water Resources at BAPPENAS, outlined Indonesia’s priorities, setting the scene for three panel sessions:
- Integrated coastal protection – hybrid green-grey solutions
- Water quality solutions – linking proven technology with local needs
- Water financing models – best practices from Invest International, ADB, AIIB and others
The roundtables drew strong interest. Highlights included:
- Nature-based solutions, looking at Indonesia as a launch market, led by Ecoshape, NL2120 and Witteveen+Bos
- Youth, education & capacity building, empowering young professionals (hosted by Wavemakers United, Wave Indonesia, Nuffic and Deltares)
Connecting and collaborating
Throughout the week, Dutch participants engaged in matchmaking, seminars, company visits and networking events. These moments offered insight into policy frameworks, regulatory changes, and funding mechanisms shaping Indonesia’s water future.
Social media posts – especially by Wavemakers United – underlined the value of intergenerational exchange. A key milestone was the signing of an MoU between IPB University and Wavemakers, focused on long-term talent development.
Five new agreements signed
A key outcome of the mission was the formalisation of several partnerships:
- LoI for coastal protection in Cirebon and Demak – Indonesian Ministry of Public Works & Invest International
- LoI for a water treatment and solid waste management project – same partners
- Distribution & service agreement – PT Bayu Surya Bakti Konstruksi & NX Filtration
- Water innovation & young talent partnership – Sultan Agung Islamic University & Wetskills
- MoU on youth, water education & local impact – IPB University & Wavemakers United
Reflections from the field
“This mission helped us strengthen our presence and showcase our coastal and water technology in Indonesia,” said Jasper Leuven (Haskoning). “It was a valuable platform for building new connections.”
Fugro underlined the critical role of geo-data in informed water decision-making. Netherlands Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken emphasised the need to address root causes such as excessive groundwater extraction and poor water quality.
“From nature-based coastal protection to clean water access, the Netherlands is ready to co-create with Indonesia,” she concluded. “But real change happens when water users, polluters, and taxpayers help drive solutions and unlock the investments we need.”
Let’s keep building a water-resilient future together.
