SIWW Spotlight 2023 is a by-invitation Summit that brings together leaders from utilities, cities and industry to share experiences and solutions in tackling climate and water sustainability challenges.

Themed “Urgent Climate Action for a Sustainable Water Future”, sessions at Spotlight 2023 will feature a closed-door roundtable for utility CEOs, industry plenaries, workshops and networking events to drive impactful exchanges and build partnerships for collective action.

To be held from 4-6 June 2023 in Singapore, themes presented at SIWW Spotlight 2023 will include climate mitigation and adaptation, and digital water transformation.

What Can You Expect?

• Utilities CEO Roundtable (4 June)
• Spotlight Plenaries (5 June)
• Technical Visits (6 June)
• Networking Functions
• Co-Located Events
• Singapore Water Association Golf @ SIWW Spotlight 2023 (6 June)

We invite global water leaders to join us at the event. For interest to attend, please scan the QR code below or visit go.gov.sg/siww-spotlight-2023.

For more information, access SIWW Spotlight 2023 brochure or visit www.siww.com.sg/spotlight-2023 for the latest updates.

[PUB's Sustainability Report 2022] Advancing Climate Action for Sustainable and Green Water System

With the release of PUB's Sustainability Report 2022, it lays out PUB’s sustainability strategies, achievements, and upcoming initiatives to achieve its goal of a green and sustainable water system for Singapore.

Faced with new challenges of climate change, PUB will continue to plan ahead and work with its partners, pursue renewable energy sources and innovative technologies to mitigate carbon emissions from its operations, as well as protect Singapore from more intense rain and the long-term threat of sea level rise.

Key Achievements & Highlights

Click here for a copy of PUB’s inaugural Sustainability Report 2020/21.

Expanding Singapore’s Climate Finance Contributions to be Negotiated: Grace Fu

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu (front row, fifth from left) at Singapore's pavilion at the COP27 climate conference. ST PHOTO: SAMUEL RUBY

The possibility of Singapore contributing to a donor base for climate finance is still to be negotiated, though the Republic has played a role in helping countries to decarbonise through building capacity and facilitating carbon markets, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Sunday (Nov 20) at the COP27 climate conference.

She noted that Singapore already provides financial support via the South-east Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility for Asean member states in climate and disaster risk financing. Another way for Singapore to contribute would be to buy carbon credits from countries with renewable resources.

Ms Fu also gave an update on discussions on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on carbon markets, which she is co-facilitating with her counterpart, Norway’s Climate and Environment Minister Espen Barth Eide.

COP27 made some breakthrough, most notably in the landmark establishment of a loss and damage finance facility, which developing countries have spent years calling for, said Ms Fu. Details of the fund will be fleshed out over the next year.

Beyond the negotiation process, Singapore also joined a number of new coalitions this year. Two MOUs on carbon credits were signed with Papua New Guinea and Peru and we concluded negotiations on an Implementation Agreement for carbon credits with Ghana. Singapore also joined global partnerships such as AWARe’s Initiative on water security and the U.S.’ Net Zero World initiative.

[Fun fact] NEWBrew was also spotted at COP27 in Egypt! International delegates to the COP27 Singapore Pavilion were treated to the refreshing taste of this unique, limited-edition beer. Having made its return at SIWW2022 earlier this year, NEWBrew is brewed with NEWater – Singapore’s own brand of ultra-clean and high-grade recycled water by PUB, in collaboration with The Brewerkz Company.

PHOTOS: PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

Imagine H2O Asia Cohort 4: Introducing the Region’s Leading Water Innovators

PHOTO: Imagine H2O Asia

Imagine H2O Asia, the Singapore-based water innovation accelerator, just announced its fourth cohort of water technology startups. With new, bold commitments spurring from the region to address the water and climate crisis, the quality and diversity of innovators is also increasing – and Cohort 4 was no exception.

Over 100 applicants, two-thirds of which are based in Asia, applied to Cohort 4. As the spotlight turns to COP27, more water entrepreneurs than ever before referred to themselves as a climate startup. Spanning six different countries – from Spain to the Philippines to Timor Leste – the 13 companies selected for Cohort 4 this year are tackling a range of shared challenges across Asia-Pacific including flood prediction, septic tank cleaning and wastewater treatment process efficiency.

Singaporean Student, Raine Lim, Wins Gold in the Water Technology Skills Category at the WorldSkills 2022 Special Edition

PHOTO: 8world

The WorldSkills Competition is the gold standard of skills excellence, recognising the power of skills and the need to encourage vocational training to the highest level. This year’s competition was hosted in 15 countries and regions over 12 weeks between 7 September and 26 November 2022. Singapore sent a contingent of 29 competitors to compete 26 of the 62 skill areas.

Singaporean student, Raine Lim Jia Ying, who underwent a three-week training attachment at PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, won the Gold medal in the Water Technology skills category held in Stuttgart, Germany from 4 to 7 October 2022. This is the second time that a Singaporean has won a medal in this category.

PUB Bags Multiple International Awards; Makes Waves on the Global Stage

At the recent 2022 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition and IDA 2022 World Congress, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, and its projects, won several accolades and awards, including:

13th IWA Project Innovation Awards

Read the press release here.

IDA 2022 World Congress

The Most Innovative Utility award is conferred on a national or local utility that brings innovation to secure clean and fresh water for their consumers.

SIWW2022 Water Leaders Interview Series

The SIWW2022 Water Leaders Interview Series, done in conversation with Ms Dawn McGregor, Business Engagement Lead from CWR, is a space for engaging and candid discussions aimed at addressing climate change impacts, understanding innovative approaches taken to build climate resilience, and rallying the global water community together to build a sustainable water future.

Watch the Series, along with its previous episodes, to glean insights from movers and shakers of the industry, including:

• Tom Mollenkopf, President, International Water Association (IWA) (written extract here)
• Neeta Pokhrel, Chief of Water Sector Group, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Patrick Blethon, Chief Executive Officer, SAUR Group
• Menno M. Holterman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nijhuis Saur Industries
• Jennifer Sara, Global Director for the World Bank Group's Climate Change Group
• Dr Debra Roberts, Co-Chair, Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (written extract here)
• Anna Lu, President, Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc
• Dr Alan Ryder, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, RSK Group
• David L. Johnson, Deputy General Manager – Operations, Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Maree Lang, Managing Director, Greater Western Water
• J.V. Emmanuel De Dios, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manila Water Company
• Mads Leth, Chief Executive Officer, VCS Denmark
• Elijah Hutchinson, former Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation
• Simon Parsons, Director of Strategic Customer Service Planning, Scottish Water

To do so, simply sign up for a free SIWW+ account or login with your existing credentials to start browsing away. Do also follow SIWW on LinkedIn as new episodes are released every fortnight!