Bali will host the 7th Global Platform
for Disaster Risk Reduction from May 23-28, 2022. The five-day conference will
be hosted in several venues throughout Bali, with the island welcoming
government officials, non-government participants, and industry executives. The
conference provides a forum for governments to debate crisis response and
prevention methods under the auspices of the United Nations. For further
security, Bali has deployed thousands of military personnel.
Representatives from all 198 recognized
countries will attend the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, and this
meeting serves as an important warm-up for police and military officials ahead
of the G20 Summit in November 2022.
Though the Global Platform for
Disaster Risk Reduction will hold online sessions, the vast majority of
attendees will gather in person at Bali's largest conference center. This is
just another indicator that Bali's recovery from the Covid-19 outbreak is well
underway. It also serves as vital evidence that governments and tourism
corporations believe in Indonesia's pandemic response strategy.
Despite the presence of almost 4,000
tourists specifically for the event, officials have made no announcements about
potential disturbances for locals or non-conference visitors. Traffic levels
have been normal, but this may change over the week. Security has been
increased around the event locations and major transportation routes.
The Head of the Udayana IX Bali
Military Department indicated that counter-sniper forces have been equipped to
be stationed near event areas. The police and Indonesian armed forces (TNI –
Tentara Nasional Indonesia) have coordinated security operations across the
island, in collaboration with international delegates.
Throughout the event, Indonesia has
deployed an extra 2,800 military men to Bali, primarily for surveillance and
ceremonial purposes. Indonesian President Joko Widodo will join the Global
Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. Security for the President is always
managed by the TNI first and foremost, with the assistance of state
authorities.
The presence of enhanced security has
been noted in the run-up to the event and will continue to be felt in the days
following its conclusion. The TNI performed a deployment ceremony on Saturday, May
21st, at Citi Mandala Renon Field, near the Monument to the Struggle of the
People of Bali. The Deputy Governor of Bali attended the deployment event,
which included troop inspection and marching exercises.
Although the police and military have
not issued comments announcing prospective road closures owing to the
President's visit, natives and visitors to Bali are reminded that the
authorities reserve the ability to restrict roads at any time, resulting in
traffic problems or the need to redirect a route.
The majority of the Global Platform for
Disaster Risk Reduction programs are being conducted at the Bali International
Convention Centre in Bali's south. Accommodation will be provided for delegates
throughout the island, and a number of site visits are scheduled throughout
Bali. On the 28th of May, delegates and their families will be able to
participate in field tours.
Trips to vital heritage sites and
culturally significant locations such as Kintamani and Penglipuran Village will
be available, according to the conference website's brochure. Another field
trip to Uluwatu and Nusa Dua is planned. Visitors to Bali should be aware that
delegates may have priority access to these places on Friday, May 28th.
The inflow of international visitors,
particularly those on official visits, will be welcomed by the Bali tourism
sector, which celebrated another Covid-19 reopening milestone this week when
the Indonesian government canceled pre-arrival PCR tests.