Bali,October 31-November 2, 2023- The2023World Hydropower Congress(WHC)was held in Bali, Indonesia, serving as the official gathering for leaders in the hydropower industry to discuss furthering global sustainable growth. Notable attendees included Joko Widodo, the President of Indonesia, Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia and President of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, Abang Johari, Prime Minister of Sarawak, Malaysia, and Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan. Wu Wenhao, Deputy Secretary General of CSHE and Executive Vice Chairman & Secretary General of IF-CSHE, delivered a keynote speech at the "Financing Hydropower to Meet 2050 Targets" forum, emphasizing the crucial role of clean, renewable energy in addressing the increasing demand for electricity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Wu highlighted hydropower as a reliable and sustainable energy source essential for transitioning to a greener future, citing the necessity of doubling global hydropower capacity to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. He called for a shift towards innovative financing models, underscoring the insufficiency of traditional approaches and advocating for collaboration and innovation to explore new financing avenues. Wu referenced successful examples from projects in Zambia, Laos, and Cote d'Ivoire to demonstrate the transformative power of innovative financing in hydropower projects, urging stakeholders to continue seeking innovative solutions and partnerships to accelerate sustainable hydropower development.

During the Stakeholder Forum, Wu reiterated the importance of hydropower in shaping the future and proposed innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships. He emphasized the need for global cooperation to achieve the goal of doubling hydropower capacity and contribute significantly to achieving net-zero emissions. CSHE and its members expressed readiness to collaborate with stakeholders worldwide to promote sustainable hydropower development and support a greener future.

In a separate session on "Powering the clean energy transition in Africa",Yang Guang, Deputy Director of the International Department of CSHE, discussed the opportunities and challenges for clean energy transition in Africa, highlighting the region's potential in renewable energy development.Heshared recommendations and successful experiences of Chinese enterprises in overseas hydropower project financing and capacity building during the forum.

The 2023 WHC, organized by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) under the theme "Powering Sustainable Growth", saw nearly a thousand delegates from over 40 countries, including representatives from governments, financial institutions, enterprises, NGOs, and academic institutions. Participants converged on policy and financing recommendations to advance the clean energy transition towards COP28, aiming to overcome barriers to renewable energy development, accelerate the shift away from coal, and tap into untapped hydropower potential in regions like Asia and Africa. The congress served as a pivotal platform for high-level declarations and commitments, influencing the global development of sustainable hydropower positively.