Singapore International Water Week 2011 Set for July 4-8

The Singapore International Water Week 2011 has announced that in just four years, the annual global water event has grown to become the leading platform for the latest in water technology and sustainable water solutions, attended by policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners from around the world.

Set to take place July 4-8 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, the fourth edition of Singapore International Water Week will address the theme ‘Sustainable Water Solutions for a Changing Urban Environment’ and will also explore broader issues such as the effects of climate change and watershed management on today’s urban environment.

With five flagship programs focusing on integrated water solutions – the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Water Leaders Summit, Water Expo, Water Convention, and Business Forums – Singapore International Water Week 2011 is set to offer the latest insights into opportunities in the global water industry, including research and innovation to the commericalization of water solutions – delivering more value than ever to delegates and exhibitors with multiple opportunities to explore business collaborations and to access sustainable water solutions across the entire spectrum of the water value chain.

The Environment and Water Industry Program Office (EWI), a national effort led by PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, the Economic Development Board and International Enterprise Singapore, recently highlighted the increasing potential of the water industry as a key growth sector for Singapore. In tandem with the EWI’s focus on providing a complete value chain of innovation opportunities in Singapore, and the National Research Foundation’s S$330 million funding in water technology R&D, the Singapore International Water Week this year will also provide a preview of the R&D projects spawned in Singapore and funded by the EWI, at the inaugural Water Innovations@SIWW. Through this R&D showcase, Singapore International Water Week will provide the window where water leaders can catch a glimpse into new technologies that could augment the search for sustainable water solutions.

Water Expo

With Singapore’s position as a global hydrohub and home to a thriving water industry of more than 70 international and local companies, and a vibrant R&D eco-system, the scope of Singapore International Water Week 2011 has been broadened to include a specific focus on research, innovation and new water technologies. At the inaugural Water Innovations@SIWW at the Water Expo, researchers behind these projects will be connected with investors at the new TechXchange platform to facilitate commercialization and bring the latest advances in water solutions to the marketplace.

Further endorsement of the value of Singapore International Water Week is the increase in support from leading business and industry organizations, both locally and globally. Memstar, Mitsubishi Rayon, Mitsubishi Electric Asia, MWH Consultants and PWN Technologies have come on board as new Founding Sponsors this year, taking the total number of Founding Sponsors from 17 to 22.  In addition, the event enjoys strong support from 15 Singapore-based and 20 international trade associations.

Underscoring the strategic value and pro-business environment that the Singapore International Water Week provides, Water Expo will see six new group pavilions this year, bringing the total to a record 15. They are the Australia Pavilion, the Belgium Pavilion, the UK Pavilion, the Maryland-Asia Environment Partnership Pavilion, the Milwaukee Water Council Pavilion, and the Water Environment Federation Pavilion. They join returning pavilions from Canada, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Singapore and Taiwan.

Since its inception in 2008, Water Expo has grown to become Asia’s most important and comprehensive water trade show that focuses on innovations, products and services as well as best practices, successful case studies and the practical application of water technologies that are suitable across all industries. This year, visitors can expect a bigger scale and a more diverse offering with more than 600 participating exhibitors. Water Expo 2011 is the marketplace for delegates and exhibitors to connect with key customers and potential business partners as well as showcase the latest products, services and water technologies.
This year, there will also be a new ‘Water & Cities’ showcase to reflect the focus in water solutions for cities and the urban environment. This showcase aims to highlight the case studies and business opportunities in Singapore and other cities, in integrated water and urban planning, as well as the innovations and technologies offered by industry leaders.

Water Leaders Summit

Recognizing the challenge of addressing pressing water governance, technology and business issues that impact communities worldwide and the need for sustainable water solutions for a rapidly-urbanizing environment, the by-invitation Water Leaders Summit will see more than 350 policymakers and leaders from the global water industry gather for the 2011 discourse. This year, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will launch the Water Leaders Summit with the inaugural ‘Water Conversation’ where he will share his views on  the world’s most pressing water issues and challenges and engage in interactive dialogue with participating delegates. The presence of country leaders such as H.E., Denis Sassou, Nguesso, President, Republic of Congo, and other key industry representatives also complement and elevate the rising stature of the event as a driver of thought leadership in the global water industry.

Water Convention

The 2011 Water Convention has received a record 428 submissions from 50 countries, and 1,200 experts and practitioners are set to attend, a 20 percent increase on last year’s participation. Jointly organized by the International Water Association (IWA) and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Water Convention will see some 350 oral and poster presentations. The presentations will explore practical applications of technological solutions, management strategies and planning and financial models to solve water problems specifically in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East regions.

To facilitate top-level exchanges and enriching insights from public and private industry players as well as generate dialogue on potential development projects, trends and policies, eight Business Forums will be held at Singapore International Water Week. The Business Forums offer captains of the water industry an extensive spread of business networking, partnership formation and deal making opportunities across the following markets – the Americas, Australia, China, Europe, India, Japan, the Middle-East & North Africa and Southeast Asia.

Michael Toh, managing director of Singapore International Water Week said, “Singapore International Water Week has grown in size, scope and stature since its inception in 2008. Year on year, we have gathered increasing support from valuable partners in the global water industry which both recognize and have added to the value of the event. Our strong focus on R&D and innovation this year, combined with the dialogue among leading policy makers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners in the global water industry, will help to identify opportunities and encourage partnerships at the highest level, and ultimately develop sustainable water solutions to meet global urban water challenges of the future.”

In addition to the flagship events, the Singapore International Water Week will also host more than 100 co-located events, reinforcing its position as the platform of choice to reach out to global audience. Among these events are the inaugural Southeast Asia Water Ministers Forum – a by-invitation high-level platform for Ministers and policymakers to discuss topics relating to water solutions and management in their countries with a focus on the key water challenges facing these cities in a changing urban environment, the World Cities Summit Mayors’ Forum – a platform for leading city mayors and governors to address common issues and share best practices, and the launch of the fourth edition of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality – building on over 50 years of guidance on drinking-water quality by WHO, which has formed an authoritative basis for the setting of national regulations and standards for water safety in support of public health.

For more details on the full program for Singapore International Water Week 2011, visit www.siww.com.sg.