Key insights from Water Leaders Summit at
Singapore International Water Week 2022
A by-invitation gathering of global water leaders and experts, the Water Leaders Summit (WLS) shapes the global water agenda, by providing insights into business, innovation, and policy intervention to tackle the world’s pressing urban water challenges and to spur collective action.
[Plenary 1] Mitigating Climate Impacts: Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Sustainable Future
This session examined how the urban water sector is transiting towards a low-carbon and sustainable future. To mitigate the impacts of climate change, water leaders gathered and discussed policies, initiatives and technologies needed to achieve net zero.
Amongst the speakers, Mr Peter Ng Joo Hee, Chief Executive, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, spoke about PUB’s three-prong strategy of ‘Reduce, Replace, Remove’ to mitigate climate impacts. His views were echoed by Ms Maree Lang, Managing Director, Greater Western Water, who elaborated on actionable steps to reduce emissions and build climate resilience. The plenary session, moderated by Mr Sharad Somani, Partner & Head of Infrastructure, Asia- Pacific, KPMG Singapore, also included insightful sharing of case studies by Mr Patrick Decker, Chief Executive Officer, Xylem, Mr Mads Leth, Chief Executive Officer, VCS Denmark and Mr Michael Carlin, Deputy General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
[Plenary 2] Adapting to Climate Impacts: Building Resilience against Extreme Weather Events and Sea Level Rise
This session examined the impacts caused by extreme weather events and sea-level rise, and adaptive measures taken by governments and businesses to safeguard urban communities and built environment from the threats of inland and coastal floods.
Moderated by Mr Scott Dunn, Chief Strategy Officer, Asia, AECOM, speakers including Mr Chua Soon Guan, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy & Development), PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, Mr Elijah Hutchinson, Vice President, NYC Economic Development Corporation, Dr Debra Roberts, Co-Chair, Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Mr Jose Victor Emmanuel A. de Dios, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manila Water Company Inc. and Mr Piet Dircke, Global Director Climate Adaptation, Arcadis, shared their views on what utilities and urban communities need to do to build resilience against extreme weather events and sea level rise.
[Plenary 3] Adapting to Climate Impacts: Strengthening Water Security against Dry Weather Events
This session cast the spotlight on climate impacts caused by droughts and dry weather spells, as well as the adaptive measures taken to strengthen water security and reliability to safeguard human lives, well-being, and socio-economic development in urban communities.
The enriching exchange, moderated by Ms Susan Moisio, Global Water Market Director, Jacobs, saw pertinent topics in response to impacts of dry weather events being discussed. Featuring an outstanding line-up of speakers, Ms Els van Doesburg, Vice Mayor, City of Antwerp, Mr Pyung-rock Park, Executive Vice President, K-water, Mr Alan Chan, Global Vice President and General Manager, DuPont, Mr Steve Clark, Chief Executive Officer, SUEZ Asia, and Mr Alan Ryder, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, RSK Group, the plenary session deep dived into climate challenges, adaptation strategies and policies adopted by the cities and urban utilities, and adaptive measures and public-private partnerships undertaken by the industry to strengthen water security.
[Plenary 4] Global Water Megatrends: Preparing the Water Sector for 2030 and Beyond
This session invited water leaders to share their perspectives on global megatrends that will shape the water sector in the next 10-15 years, and what stakeholders can do to capitalise on opportunities and tackle the emerging challenges.
Prior to the event, SIWW invited more than 50 international leaders to share their views on what were the top global megatrends that will shape the water industry in the next 10-15 years. Based on the inputs provided, the top six global megatrends were:
- Climate change – Adaptation and mitigation
- Resource circularity and circular economy
- Net zero and carbon neutrality
- Digitalisation
- Urbanisation
- Water Reuse
At this session moderated by Professor Cecilia Tortajada, Professor in Practice - Environment Innovation, University of Glasgow, esteemed speakers including Professor Asit Biswas, Honorary Professor of Glasgow University, Mr Chew Men Leong, President, Urban Solutions of ST Engineering, Ms Neeta Pokhrel, Chief of Water Sector Group, Asian Development Bank, Mr Patrick Hill, Executive Vice President, Jacobs and Ms Debra Tan, Head, CWR, provided their perspectives on how these megatrends would impact the water sector in the coming years, as well as the challenges and opportunities that would arise.
Missed out on the WLS plenary sessions?
All sessions delivered during SIWW2022 are available on-demand via SIWW+, our digital content hub.
Access to the on-demand content is available for Water Leaders Summit, Water Convention Premium and On-Demand pass holders. Login credentials have been sent via email. For assistance, please email support@commontown.com
To sign up for an on-demand pass, click here. Hurry, registration closes on 13 May 2022!
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