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SIWW, Singapore, June 28, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - Around 50 new innovations are making their global and regional debuts at this year's Singapore International Water Week and World Cities Summit, which officially opened today. Some 15,000 attendees are expected at the week-long events, where practical and sustainable strategies to alleviate challenges faced by an increasingly thirsty and urbanised world will take centre stage.
Recognising that integrated systems are critical for effective water and urban management, the two co-located events provide the platform for policy makers, industry leaders and academia to engage in dialogue on leadership and governance issues, explore innovative solutions and formulate sound financing strategies - elements that are critical to the creation of ecosystems for sustainable urban living.
At the joint official opening ceremony of the Singapore International Water Week and World Cities Summit, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean underscored the importance of ensuring the right balance between socio-economic growth and a vibrant, liveable environment to a city's sustainable development.
Generating a Ripple Effect
The Singapore International Water Week drives the global water agenda by bringing together the entire water value chain at its five flagship events and more than 100 co-located events. Themed "Sustainable Cities: Clean and Affordable Water", the Singapore International Water Week 2010 will focus on the need for efficiency and cost effective solutions to address water problems in a constantly changing environment.
This year, over 12,000 attendees and 500 participating companies will join in the dialogue on this precious resource at the Water Week. Testament to its stature as a global platform for water solutions, representatives from countries such as Belarus, Belgium, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Finland, Iran, Ireland, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan will participate in the Water Week for the first time.
To provide greater impetus for the development of sustainable water management policies, practices and solutions, 400 ministers, mayors, government officials, global water industry leaders, heads of international organisations, leading researchers and practitioners will consider pressing water governance, technology and business issues at the Water Leaders Summit. The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2010 laureate, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission, will also deliver the acclaimed Singapore Water Lecture at the event. More than 800 delegates are expected to attend the Water Convention and share best practices and solutions for the advancement of the water industry.
Mr Michael Toh, Managing Director, Singapore International Water Week said: "With water being so deeply intertwined with other parts of the economy, there needs to be close collaboration across different systems and geographies to ensure the availability of clean and affordable water. The Water Week provides the platform for leaders from the public, private and people sectors around the world to converge to discuss important water issues and to inspire solutions that will better the lives of communities globally."
The Water Week also showcases the immense business potential of the water world as accelerated water demand brought about by rapid urbanisation has heightened the call for sustainable water projects to boost water supply, quality and affordability. In addition to the 26 new products and technologies being launched at the Innovation Corner of the Water Expo, deals and memoranda of understanding (MOU) aimed at developing viable solutions to water challenges will be inked at the eight Business Forums, which cover strategic water markets Americas, Australia, China, Europe, India, Japan, Middle East and North Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Focusing on Cities of the Future
Jointly organised by the Centre for Liveable Cities and Singapore's Civil Service College under the theme of "Liveable and Sustainable Cities for the Future", the World Cities Summit is a premier international event focusing on issues of leadership and governance, the building of sustainable and eco-friendly cities, and the fostering of harmonious and sustainable communities. WCS 2010 is expected to gather up to a thousand distinguished delegates, including ministers, governors, mayors and senior officials, who will interact with business leaders, industry professionals, and other policy experts.
Mr Edwin Seah, Director of the World Cities Summit, said: "Across the world, cities are facing numerous challenges, ranging from resource constraints to environmental pressures. But working together - with industry, with the community, and with each other - solutions to these problems can be found. At the World Cities Summit 2010, we intend to provide such a forum for all parties focused on the future of cities to come together for a common purpose. Through the exchange of ideas and knowledge, we believe that cities can learn from each other to identify practical, scalable and replicable solutions to the urban challenges of today and tomorrow."
WCS 2010 will include various plenary sessions, a Ministerial Dialogue, specialist Expert Panel Sessions, a WCS Expo, Learning Journeys, and the inaugural WCS Mayors' Forum, which is positioned as a new and strategic platform for leading city mayors and governors around the world to address common issues and share best practices. Among the dignitaries expected at the WCS Mayors' Forum are representatives from Tangshan, China, Melbourne, Australia, Lagos state, Nigeria, Freiburg, Germany, Phoenix, USA, and Malmo, Sweden.
In addition, the Mayor of Bilbao is scheduled to deliver the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Lecture. Bilbao City Hall has been named the inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Laureate in recognition of its integrated and holistic approach to urban transformation. Bilbao's success is founded on visionary leadership, commitment to long-term planning, strong processes, and supporting infrastructure.
As host nation for this biennial Summit, Singapore is also well placed to share its expertise in areas such as public housing, waste management, sustainable buildings, and urban greenery. Despite having one of the highest population densities in the world, Singapore is often rated as one of the world's most liveable cities. Mercer's 2010 Quality of Life survey recently identified the city-state as the highest ranking Asian city among 221 cities globally.
The Singapore International Water Week is being held from June 28 to July 2, and the World Cities Summit from June 28 to July 1 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
About World Cities Summit 2010
The World Cities Summit, which begins on 28 June 2010, is a premier international event focusing on issues of leadership and governance, the building of sustainable and eco-friendly cities, and the fostering of harmonious and sustainable communities. Organised under the theme of "Liveable and Sustainable Cities for the Future", WCS 2010 will include key plenary sessions and other highlights such as the WCS Mayors' Forum, a Ministerial Dialogue, specialist Expert Panel Sessions, plus the WCS Expo. The inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the creation of vibrant, liveable and sustainable urban communities, will be presented at WCS 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.worldcities.com.sg/.
Contact:
Aaron Yeo
Burson-Marsteller for Singapore International Water Week
Tel: +65 6829 9333
Email: aaron.yeo@bm.com
Lance John
Edelman for World Cities Summit
Tel: +65 6733 1110
Email: lance.john@edelman.com
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: Singapore International Water Week (SIWW)
Sectors: Water, Real Estate & REIT, Science & Research, Environment, ESG
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From the Asia Corporate News Network
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