AWC holds 25th and 26th board meetings, 5th general assembly in Thailand from Wednesday to Friday; Korea Water Resources Corporation hosts trade fair with 12 domestic water companies
Korea Water Resources Corporation, known as K-water, is moving to strengthen its international cooperation network and expand the overseas foothold of domestic water companies, centering its efforts on the Asia Water Council as the body marks its 10th anniversary this year.
K-water, which chairs the AWC, announced Thursday that it held the council's 25th and 26th board meetings, fifth general assembly and a series of side events in Bangkok, Thailand, from Wednesday through Friday.
The AWC is Asia's largest water-sector cooperation body, established in 2016 by the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy and K-water. It currently counts 187 member organizations from 27 countries.
On the opening day Wednesday, the 25th board meeting approved the admission of seven new member organizations — including Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and Druk Holding and Investment, Bhutan's state-owned investment company — and reviewed the major activities and progress of cooperative projects among board members.
At the fifth general assembly held Thursday, participants shared the AWC's achievements over the past decade and the direction of its "AWC 2.0" initiative for the next 10 years, along with amendments to the organization's charter and the election of new board members.
The 26th board meeting, held Friday, was set to constitute the next executive board centered on the newly elected board members and select the next chair organization.
Alongside this, a fourth Asia International Water Week stakeholder meeting was held Thursday to discuss cooperation measures and action plans for addressing water challenges across Asia.
The Asia International Water Week, organized by the AWC, is a flagship regional forum that brings together governments, international organizations and businesses to share policy and technology.
Practical business cooperation to support the overseas expansion of domestic water companies was also pursued during the events.
A corporate technology fair held Wednesday drew 12 South Korean water companies, which presented tailored solutions to local water challenges in Thailand — including flooding and drought — and held one-on-one business consultations.
The AWC Business Alliance, launched in March, also participated in the fair to help domestic water companies identify overseas business opportunities and support their commercial activities.
K-water said it will continue to support domestic water companies in entering overseas markets, leveraging advanced technologies including water management digital twins, AI-powered water purification plants and smart water network management systems.
K-water President Yoon Seok-dae held a series of meetings during the events with senior Thai officials and international figures — including Thailand's deputy prime minister and minister of natural resources and environment, the director-general of the Office of the National Water Resources, members of the Thai Senate, the deputy executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the mayor of Korat — to discuss local water management needs such as aging water pipe rehabilitation and smart leak management, and to explore joint project opportunities using AI and digital water management technologies.
"These board meetings and the general assembly are a meaningful occasion to share the water cooperation achievements AWC has built over the past 10 years and to chart the path forward for the next decade together," Yoon said. "K-water will continue to deepen international water cooperation through the AWC and work with domestic water companies to broaden the global reach of our AI and digital water management technologies."
thlee@heraldcorp.com
