Julaihi leads state delegation to World Water Congress in Copenhagen
KUCHING: A delegation from Sarawak led by Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi is currently in Copenhagen, Denmark for the five-day World Water Congress conference, run by the International Water Association (IWA) from Sept 11 to 15.
With the theme ‘Water for Smart Liveable Cities’, the biennial conference is attended by about 3,800 delegates from 102 countries with 330 exhibitors.
IWA is a recognised body benchmark for reference by the water and sanitation industry.
Julaihi, in a statement yesterday, regarded the conference as being timely and relevant as Sarawak’s water industry was undergoing transformational changes.
“We are implementing the Sarawak-wide water grid system, establishing a single-entity water supply and a corporate body as regulator, and embracing digitalisation.
“These initiatives are aimed toward a development of a resilient water supply system. By acquiring global knowledge and experiences, we hope to put in place a system that is reliable, economical and sustainable throughout Sarawak to uplift the economic and social well-being of the people.
“This is in line with initiatives under our Post Covid Development Strategy 2030,” he said.
Accompanying Julaihi are his two deputy ministers Datuk Liwan Lagang and Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datu Len Talif Salleh; and senior officers from the two ministries as well as related agencies.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication said the biennial conference meant to bring together water professionals and reconnect the water-consuming industry, agriculture, architects and urban planners, hydrologists and soil and groundwater experts, social sciences, ICTsector, financial sector and others, towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
It said the congress recognised the importance of sustainable management of water resources towards climatic changes which will have big impact on water security. This, it added, would require global efforts for new solutions through shared experiences and challenges, and meant to provide solutions for the complex water management problems today and for the future, which would require a focus on integrated water management set to bridge the gap between policies and practices.