DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – The United Kingdom has expressed its readiness to support Bali Province in addressing chronic traffic congestion and improving waste management systems, two of the island’s most pressing challenges.
The offer was conveyed by the British Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Matthew Downing, during a meeting with Bali Governor I Wayan Koster in Denpasar on Friday (30 January 2026). The cooperation will be carried out through the UK’s Future Cities Infrastructure Programme in partnership with the Bali Provincial Transportation Agency.
According to Downing, the collaboration will focus on technical assistance and the refinement of feasibility studies for transportation projects in Bali. The initiative is expected to involve British transport companies and apply advanced digital platform technology.
Under the proposed approach, a virtual digital replica of Bali will be developed, integrating data on buildings, road networks, and tourism destinations. This system is designed to enable local authorities to monitor the movement of residents and tourists in real time, identify congestion hotspots, and simulate the potential impacts of new infrastructure projects before they are built.
In addition to transportation, the UK also offered support in waste management, an area where it has long-standing experience, particularly in recycling systems, waste processing, and public behavior change.
“We are ready to assist through waste management consultants, recycling systems, and education programs to encourage behavioral change in waste disposal,” Downing said.
Governor Koster welcomed the offer, noting that Bali currently faces three major challenges: traffic congestion, waste management, and disruptive behavior by certain tourists. He said the provincial government has begun accelerating the development of inter-regional transport infrastructure to ease traffic conditions.
On waste management, Koster explained that Bali is working to address the issue from upstream to downstream, with a long-term focus on developing waste-to-energy facilities capable of processing more than 1,000 tons of waste per day.
“My target is that within the next two years, the waste issue can be resolved. By 2030, we expect to see significant improvements in traffic congestion and infrastructure development,” he said.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Minister of Environment also emphasized that waste management in Bali must be handled comprehensively, given the island’s status as a global tourism destination.
“Waste management cannot be done halfway. It must be handled with great care,” he said.
The proposed cooperation reflects growing international attention on Bali’s infrastructure and environmental sustainability, as the island seeks long-term solutions to support both residents and visitors.