May 1, 2014
By Kathy Shandling
The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is the global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions. Stakeholders from the global water industry gather at SIWW to share business opportunities and showcase the latest water technologies.
SIWW is part of the strategic program of the Singapore Government to grow the water industry and develop water technologies. At SIWW, collaborations are explored and innovative water solutions are reviewed among a vibrant ecosystem of companies, research institutions and a strong presence of water leaders.
Singapore International Water Week has unquestionably become a leading event on the global water calendar. It is specifically organized by the Singapore Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, and PUB which is Singapore's National Water Agency.
Singapore International Water Week has clearly become the world's exclusive integrated event that is focused on water and urban sustainability. SIWW seeks to re-enforce the importance of sustainable water management when it comes to achieving livable cities around the world.
SIWW delivers a range of flagship programs where industry players share the latest in business, scientific and technological innovation, and policy developments in water. The Water Leaders' Summit, Water Convention, Water Expo, Business Forums and the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize all present valuable opportunities for participants to network, exchange information and co-create innovative water solutions.
SIWW has been recognized by many past attendees as a quintessential event that creates a strong platform for sparking innovation and encouraging collaboration. This impressive conference event certainly helps drive innovation via the diversity of water industry stakeholders that it has attracted and will continue to attract.
And as the global platform for the sharing and co-creation of innovative water solutions, SIWW definitely attracts core notable decision makers across the entire water value chain, allowing the global water industry to collaborate on new market opportunities.
It should be duly noted that Singapore International Water Week is held in conjunction with the World Cities Summit and the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore. It now takes place every other year.
This year, Singapore International Water Week will take place in early June -- June 1 through 5. And the upcoming Singapore International Water Week 2014 is a conference event not to be missed.
In line with the evolving global water industry trends and opportunities, SIWW 2014 will feature discussions on four critical themes: Municipal Water, Industrial Water, Integrated City-Environment-Water, and Future of Water. Via these four themes, SIWW will explore and review forward-looking solutions to meet future challenges and scenarios within the global water sector arena.
Singapore International Water Week will also include select special program events such as the WCS Mayors Forum, the Asia Pacific Infrastructure Ministers Meeting, the India Business Forum, the China Business Forum, Public Private Partnership Business Forum, Desalination/Water ReUse Business Forum, Southeast Asia Business Forum, Middle East/North Africa Business Forum, Water Leaders Dialogue, Water Leaders Roundtable, Industrial Water Solutions Forum, and select site visits.
The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize will be given out at an evening dinner event. The 2014 Prize is being awarded to the Orange County Water District (CA) for their pioneering work when it comes to groundwater management and water reclamation via the use/employment of advance water reuse technologies. (See also: "CA water district awarded Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for water reuse efforts".)
It should be noted that the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is recognized as an international water award that salutes outstanding contributions towards solving the global water challenges by either applying innovative technologies or implementing policies and programs that benefit humanity. Orange County Water District is the sixth recipient of the prize. A representative from the Orange County Water District will deliver the 6th Singapore Water Lecture prior to the actual evening award ceremony.
It should be noted that Singapore International Water Week also includes one of the most comprehensive global water trade shows. The various pavilions and booths hosted by companies, countries and organizations focus on innovation, products and services. SIWW 2014 welcomes the return of booths and pavilions hosted by Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, State of Illinois, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Water Environment Federation (WEF), and Integrated Urban Solutions. New pavilions for this year hail from countries such as Denmark, France and the United States.
There are a number of companies and organizations that have committed to Singapore International Water Week 2014 as sponsors and/or partners.
Founding sponsors of SIWW include companies such as AECOM, Arcadis, Black & Veatch, Boustead Salcom, CDM Smith, CH2M HILL, Evoqua, Hach, Hyflux, Memstar, Mitsubishi Electric, PWN Technologies, Suez, Sembcorp, Toray, Trojan Technologies, United Engineers, Xylem, and Veolia Water.
It should be noted that there are a number of supporting partners of SIWW such as the Asian Development Bank, the International Desalination Association, International Water Association, Singapore Water Association, National University of Singapore/Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and the World Bank.
And numerous international associations have extended their support of Singapore International Water Week 2014 including ANEAS, the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, the American Water Works Association, Australian Water Association, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). International Private Water Association (IPWA), Water Environmental Federation, Korean Water Forum, and the World Water Council.
As a participant in past Singapore International Water Week gatherings, I personally can confirm that SIWW provides amazing networking opportunities. And many of the introductions at SIWW have yielded some very interesting dynamic partnerships that are valuable to the global water sector.
Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is an impressive conference event not to be missed.
To learn more about SIWW and the agenda planned as well as to register for SIWW 2014, visit www.siww.com.sg.
About the Author
Kathy Shandling is the executive director of the International Private Water Association (IPWA), set up in 1999 to serve as a conduit between the public and private sector players. Email: [email protected].
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