THIS October, Kuching City will take centre stage as the Borneo International Water and Wastewater Exhibition and Conference (BIWWEC) 2024 returns with its sixth edition.
Slated to run from October 23 to 25 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), BIWWEC 2024 is a crucial platform for tackling water sustainability challenges across Southeast Asia.
With the theme ‘Bridging Solutions for Water Sustainability’ and the tagline ‘Flowing Future’, the event will foster collaboration between international and regional water industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators as they address one of the world’s most pressing issues—water management.
A premier water event with a global perspective
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will be officiating at BIWWEC 2024.
The event is expected to host 1,000 delegates and features over 60 exhibitors.
BIWWEC 2024 aims to attract a diverse and high-level audience of water practitioners, policymakers, engineers, and academics.
The event promises to be a hub for innovative solutions in water and wastewater management, with a particular emphasis on the challenges faced by Southeast Asian nations.
Kelvin Kuek Hann Yih, chairman of the Malaysian Water Association (MWA) Sarawak Branch (2023/2025 session), highlighted that BIWWEC 2024 isn’t solely about addressing water issues in Sarawak or Malaysia.
“Southeast Asia is one of the most diverse and unique regions in the world.
The water challenges reflect this diversity, ranging from large urban centres to remote communities, each with its solutions.
“We aim to position BIWWEC as a platform where water practitioners from the entire region can come together and share experiences and solutions.
“With the upcoming International Water Association’s World Water Congress and Exhibition in 2028, we want BIWWEC to showcase what Kuching, Sarawak, has to offer in terms of the aspirations declared in our PCDDS 2030, where Sarawak will become a thriving society driven by data and innovation, ensuring economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and a sustainable environment, and also serve as a host for large international events,” he said.
Four key conference pillars
The organising chairperson of the event, Rodziah Mohamad, general manager of Kuching Water Board, structured the conference around four key pillars: Blue Financing, Governance, and Policy; Digital Innovations; Water-Energy Nexus; and Resilient Infrastructure.
These pillars aim to ensure comprehensive and impactful discussions on various aspects of water management and sustainability.
Rodziah explained that the first pillar, Blue Financing, Governance, and Policy, will delve into financial models and policy frameworks necessary for building sustainable water infrastructure, emphasising long-term investments and proper governance.
The second pillar, Digital Innovations, will explore technologies such as Digital Water Twins, Smart Meters, and Artificial Intelligence, showcasing how digital tools can optimise water management, improve efficiency, and enhance datadriven decision-making.
The third pillar, WaterEnergy Nexus, focuses on the relationship between water and energy, particularly in hydropower and renewable energy integration, and how these sectors can collaborate for mutual benefit.
Additionally, the Resilient Infrastructure pillar will address the region’s vulnerability to climate change by discussing building infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, ensuring water security and reducing disaster risks.
Innovative technologies to shape the future of water management
BIWWEC 2024 places a strong emphasis on cutting-edge technological innovations that can reshape the water industry.
Rodziah highlighted that the event will spotlight Digital Water Twins, Smart Meters, and AI-driven solutions to optimise water treatment, distribution, and wastewater management.
Rodziah said these technologies are expected to revolutionise how water systems are managed.
“For instance, Digital Water Twins, virtual models of physical water systems, allow operators to simulate and predict the impacts of various factors such as climate change, contamination, and infrastructure development.
“Smart Meters enable real-time monitoring of water consumption, aiding in waste reduction and efficiency improvement.
“Artificial Intelligence and big data analytics will be crucial to optimising operations, from water treatment plants to river flow modelling, which is vital for enhancing water security in Southeast Asia,” she explained.
Parallel events to deepen engagement
In parallel with BIWWEC 2024, two additional events will further enrich the conference experience: the Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Conference (SUTCON) will explore the convergence of utilities and telecommunications, while the Malaysian Water Industry Human Resource Conference (MyWIN HR) will focus on workforce development in the water industry, ensuring that human capital is prepared for the evolving demands of the sector.
Capacity building and professional development
Furthermore, BIWWEC 2024 will prioritise capacity building by partnering with the Malaysian Water Academy (MyWA), offering professional development opportunities to attendees.
MyWA’s training programmes will enhance technical skills and knowledge within the water industry, ensuring that professionals can tackle upcoming challenges.
Additionally, the MWA Sarawak branch recently signed a Service Level Agreement with the Institute of Engineers Malaysia Sarawak branch, enabling shared training facilities and expanded access to educational resources for MWA and IEM members.
These initiatives underscore the importance of investing in human capital as a key component of the region’s water sustainability efforts.
Kuching as a global water hubThe roadmap to IWA WWCE 2028
A significant highlight of BIWWEC 2024 is the declaration of Kuching as the host city for the esteemed International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress and Exhibition (WWCE) in 2028.
Kuek emphasised that this marks a notable milestone as Malaysia will be the first Southeast Asian country to host this global water event.
He further mentioned that BIWWEC 2024 will be the starting point for the Roadmap to IWA WWCE 2028, a strategic initiative that prepares the region for global prominence.
“Our successful bid for the IWA WWCE 2028 is not just a triumph for Kuching or Malaysia, but for Southeast Asia.
This event will draw global attention to the region’s water challenges and foster unprecedented collaboration opportunities,” he stated.
Kuek elaborated that the roadmap will be a cooperative endeavour involving water associations from across Southeast Asia, including the Indonesia Water Supply Association, Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Cambodia Water Supply Association, and Singapore Water Association.
“These stakeholders will address mutual challenges such as water scarcity, flood control, and sanitation while exploring synergies in technological innovation and policy frameworks beneficial to the entire region,” he explained.
Fostering regional and international collaborations
Kuek highlighted that BIWWEC 2024 is uniquely positioned to facilitate collaboration among regional and international stakeholders.
“We have nurtured strong relationships with water associations across Southeast Asia and beyond, leveraging our connections to promote collaboration across borders,” he emphasised.
He noted that the Malaysian Water Association’s ongoing partnership with the International Water Association is crucial to strengthening ties with global water experts.
Through strategic partnerships, he mentioned that BIWWEC 2024 aims to bring together water utility companies, energy providers, technology developers, and policymakers to exchange ideas and explore solutions.
“Industry players in hydroelectricity and sustainable energy generation have also been invited to discuss the nexus between water and energy, providing insights into how these sectors can collaborate to build more sustainable systems,” he added.
Addressing Southeast Asia’s unique water challenges
Simultaneously, BIWWEC 2024 will delve into the distinctive water challenges encountered by Southeast Asia, a region of 650 million people with varying levels of development and water infrastructure.
From the sophisticated water infrastructure in Singapore to the rural areas of Borneo facing challenges in obtaining clean water, Kuek emphasised that the conference will delve into a diverse range of solutions that can be tailored and expanded based on specific local requirements.
“Singapore offers a commendable water management model, but what proves successful for them may not necessarily work for other parts of Southeast Asia.
We must explore decentralised and off-grid solutions for rural areas, while also advancing urban water infrastructure where feasible,” he stated.
A platform for transformative change
BIWWEC 2024 transcends being just a conference; it signifies a movement towards a more sustainable and resilient water future.
By uniting key players from the water, energy, and technology sectors, the event will help shape the future of water management in Southeast Asia.
As the region prepares for the impacts of climate change and rapid urbanisation, events like BIWWEC are imperative to ensure that water systems are durable and that communities have access to clean and safe water.
For additional information and registration details, please visit www. biwwec.com.
