Singapore International Water Week 2009 set to scale new heights

Premier global water platform to be bigger and better;
Participation in Water Expo 2009 to grow by more than 25 percent

Singapore, 26 September 2008 – Singapore International Water Week 2009 is expected to scale new heights. Themed “Sustainable Cities – Infrastructure and Technologies for Water”, the event will feature top-tier delegates and speakers from leading international water companies, utility operators and water agencies, including more industry players and exhibitors from emerging and important markets, such as Australia, South Korea, Turkey and the United States.

Speaking ahead of the cocktail reception of Water Week 2009 at the WaterHub this evening, Mr Khoo Teng Chye, Executive Director of Environment and Water Industry Development Council (EWI) and Chief Executive of PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, says, “The Singapore International Water Week has carved a reputation of being a must-attend event for policymakers, experts and professionals in the water industry. By strengthening our strategic partnership with the Singapore Water Association, the Singapore International Water Week 2009 will significantly build on the success we achieved in June this year."

Water Week’s organisers are holding a cocktail reception this evening as a gesture of appreciation to their partners and supporters. An agreement will be signed between PUB and Singapore Water Association (SWA) at the cocktail event, to formalise SWA's role as a strategic partner for 5 years from 2008. The Water Week’s other strategic partners include International Desalination Association, International Water Association and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Buoyant industry interest in Water Expo 2009

As a proxy indicator of the water industry’s interest in upcoming Water Week, the Water Expo 2009 will increase its total covered exhibition space from 12,000 to 15,000 square metres.  At least 500 companies are expected to take part as exhibitors – 25 percent more than 2008.

Already more than half of 2008’s exhibitors are returning to the Expo next year while the Singapore Pavilion has more than doubled in size from 200 to 500 square metres. Country pavilions will grow from six to 10 with Australia, South Korea, Turkey and the United States taking part as new participants.

Mr Michael Toh, Managing Director of Singapore International Water Week, says, “Some existing exhibitors have expanded their exhibition space to serve the expected influx of buyers, especially from rapidly growing Asian markets like China and India.  Newcomers have also realised the value of Water Week as a vital marketing and networking platform that cannot be missed and have registered to keep up with their competitors.”

Advanced technologies and innovations at Water Week 2009

Singapore International Water Week 2009, to be held from 22 to 26 June 2009 at Suntec Singapore, will showcase more cutting-edge water technologies and innovations in water infrastructure in line with its theme. The event will coincide with the Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Ministerial Forum and International Water Association’s Leading Edge Technologies Conference (LET).

A signature event of the Water Week, the Water Convention 2009 will have four tracks focusing on various aspects of the water cycle. These tracks will parallel LET's two technology tracks on water and wastewater treatment technologies. LET 2009 will expand its scope from the traditional focus on treatment technologies to include technologies that minimise the impact of the water sector in climate change, resource recovery – such as water reuse and nutrient recovery – and advancements in nanotechnology.

In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) will work with the Convention’s organisers to jointly develop the contents of the Water Quality track covering emerging health and water quality issues.

The other flagship events of Singapore International Water Week 2009 include the Water Leaders Summit, Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize and Business Forums. Delegates will discuss the latest challenges, best practices and technologies in the water industry. They will also tap on Singapore’s rich experiences in mega projects such as the Marina Barrage, Deep Tunnel Sewerage System and NEWater through the Water Week’s Technical Tours.

The Singapore International Water Week is organised by Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd, a company set up by Singapore’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and PUB, Singapore’s national water agency. The co-organiser is Singapore Airshow & Events Pte Ltd.

Updates on SIWW 2009 during the Singapore Water Industry Night by Michael
Toh, Managing Director, Singapore International Water Week


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The Blue Paper also charts the way forward for next year’s Singapore International Water Week themed ‘Sustainable Cities – Infrastructure and Technologies for Water’. The second Water Week, to be held from 22 to 26 June 2009 at Suntec Singapore, will coincide with the Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Ministerial Forum and International Water Association’s Leading Edge Technologies Conference (LET).

The highlights of Singapore International Water Week 2009 will include the Water Leaders Summit, Water Convention, Water Expo, Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize and Business Forums. Delegates can also tap Singapore’s rich experiences in mega projects such as the Marina Barrage, Deep Tunnel Sewerage System and NEWater through the Water Week’s Technical Tours.

The Singapore International Water Week is the global platform for water solutions. It brings policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world.

The inaugural Water Week, held from 23 to 27 June at Suntec Singapore, centred on the theme “Sustainable Water Solutions for Cities”. Some 8,500 delegates and trade visitors attended the event to discuss the latest challenges, best practices and technologies in the water industry. The annual event features the Water Leaders Summit, Water Convention, Water Expo, Business Forums and Water Festival, as well as the presentation of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for innovative contributions in solving the world’s water problems.

The first winner of this prestigious international award is Dr Andrew Benedek, a Canadian researcher and successful technopreneur, who delivered the Singapore Water Lecture during the Water Week. In addition, a number of significant business deals and collaborations were announced by industry players on the sidelines of the Water Week, including several important MOUs signed between Singapore and various countries.

The Singapore International Water Week is organised by Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd, a company set up by Singapore’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and PUB, Singapore’s national water agency. The co-organiser is Singapore Airshow & Events Pte Ltd.

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