K-water said it aims to take the lead in tackling Asia’s water scarcity in partnership with member nations of the Asia Water Council, an organization that aims to foster systematic regional cooperation on related issues.

The Korean government agency for water resource development took the lead in establishing the council last year along with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to deal with water crisis in Asia. It is currently comprised of 26 member nations and 105 relevant organizations. 

The head of K-water, Choi Gye-woon, who was appointed as first president of AWC, said, “We will do our best to solve the water shortage issues in Asia together with member nations and international organizations,” at the first general assembly of the council, which kicked off on March 24 in Indonesia’s Bali.

During the assembly, the Korean government agency had bilateral talks with representatives from Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to discuss cooperation in tackling water scarcity in Asia.

The agency said it partnered with the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research to share Korea’s smart water management technologies. It also agreed to participate in building a master plan for the water resource development near Chao Phraya River in Thailand, which is suffering from the worst drought in 30 years.

On the sidelines of the assembly, K-water also held the Water Business Forum to help build partnerships among water-related companies, international organizations and nonprofit organizations.

A total of 16 Korean companies signed technology agreements with various institutions, which include the Netherland’s private water institution Deltares, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Australian Water Partnership and the Asian Development Bank.

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)