KUCHING: The Borneo International Water and Wastewater Exhibition and Conference (BIWWEC) 2024 serves as a launching pad for the roadmap to the International Water Association World Water Congress 2028.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the world water congress in 2028 was a result of a long and competitive bidding process to which Kuching was selected as the host city.
“This is also the first time the flagship event by the International Water Association will be held in the ASEAN region,” he told a press conference at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly on Thursday (May 9).
Julaihi added that as Sarawak is transitioning to become the sustainability and innovation hub in the region as guided by the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“I am delighted that the Borneo International Water and Wastewater Exhibition and Conference is coming soon in October. Especially (since) it is also held in conjunction with our own Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Conference 2024,” he said.
He added that the forthcoming event is expecting 1,000 delegates and 55 exhibitors and forums featuring over 50 international and local speakers and discussion panels with 80 sessions in four streams across three full days.
”The key topics for this year’s conference are – sustainable water, water and energy, financial sustainability for water assets and digital water innovation,” he said.
Julaihi then said the conference will involve local universities, namely – Swinburne University, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) that have been invited to the scientific committee to curate top class papers to be presented at the BIWWEC.
“In addition, invitations have been sent out to regional water associations such as Indonesian Association of Water Supply Companies (PERPAMSI), Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Singapore Water Association (SWA), Philippines Local Water Utilities Administration (also known as Southeast Asia Water Utility Network) to have leadership forum during the upcoming BIWWEC,” he said.
Also present at the press conference were Julaihi’s deputies, Datuk Liwan Lagang and Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
