OVER two billion people in today’s world lack access to safe water at home, with 54 per cent of the population living in urban areas.
To create environmentally, socially and economically resilient cities, water resources, efficient land use and environment must be carefully managed, with countries required to formulate strategic long-term plans, innovative solutions and dynamic governance structure that are able to respond to and anticipate disruptions.
With these aims in mind, Singapore recently hosted three events – the 6th World Cities Summit (WCS), Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and the 4th CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) – from July 8-12.
Jointly organised by the Singapore Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, and the Singapore Ministry of National Development, the three events created a platform for over 150 city leaders and decision-makers, including public sector leaders, business executives, experts and academics, to gather and discuss on how to address today’s most pressing challenges facing cities and nations.
The SIWW was officially opened at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre on July 8 by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
As a biennial platform for innovative water solutions, the SIWW gathered stakeholders from the global water industry to share the best practices and the latest technologies.
Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar attended the SIWW as the Head of Brunei delegation that included Permanent Secretary (Technical and Professional) at the Ministry of Development Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin and the Director-General of the Public Works Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria.
During the opening ceremony, a keynote address was presented by Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, who shared insights, trends and solutions concerning urban development, water management and environment protection towards a liveable and sustainable future. While in Singapore, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi also attended the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize and Water Prize Lectures, as well as the Environment and Water Leaders Forum, where among the speakers was Singapore Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli bin Masagos Mohamad.
On the evening of July 8, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi was invited to attend the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize Presentation, where the guest of honour was President of Singapore Halimah Yacob.
The Brunei delegation also attended the Water Leaders Summit session, featuring distinguished leaders sharing their insights, trends and solutions concerning water management and sanitation.
The keynote address at the Water Leaders Summit was delivered by the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.
During the five-day period, the Minister of Development also visited the Water Expo, where 100 exhibitors from more than 20 countries displayed their products, technologies and solutions for the water industry and a more sustainable environment.