Ozwater’17 sees the largest international audience to visit Australia

Posted: 6 June 2017

During Ozwater’17 the Australian Water Association hosted a large International audience with over 100 delegates attending from outside of Australia. The Association facilitated support for a delegation of 43 from Vietnam, a delegation of nine from Indonesia as well as playing host to smaller delegations from Korea, Philippines, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia. The purpose of each countries visit was to understand Australia’s approach to managing water and to introduce innovative water technologies as they relate to challenges being faced across the Indo-Pacific.

With support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and ANZ Bank, The Association developed an International Program for both domestic and international audiences. The program provided a series of workshops, site tours, social events and business introductions focusing on opportunities, challenges and futures directions for Indo-Pacific Countries

Marcus Howard, Director, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Section presented on the High Level Panel on Water and the need for continued investment and improved water governance to adapt to climate change and accommodate a growing population and economic development. 

Presentations were also made from the countries of Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia to highlight the challenges each country faces to enable sustainable water management. 

Day 2 involved a site tour for the international delegations from Vietnam and Indonesia to introduce innovative water sites around Sydney and to expose delegates to the operator, regulators and designers of the sites including UNSW, Manly Council, Manly Golf Club, Sydney Water and several Australian companies. 

The tour visited the Manly Golf Course Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Project, as well as the University of New South Wales Hydraulics Laboratory and Manly Stormwater Treatment and Re-use Scheme.  

On day 3 of Ozwater, the international delegations were provided with guided tours throughout the exhibition hall to meet with innovative companies who can provide the technology to meet the growing demand for safe and secure water and wastewater services in Indo-Pacific Countries.

The delegations also participated in the International stream as part of the Ozwater’17 technical program on day 3. Each presentation demonstrated successful projects which had been implemented in developing and developed countries. The international stream was well attended with over 40 delegates attending and highlighted the importance of close collaborations with Australia’s international neighbours.

If you or your company are interested in identifying further market opportunities in overseas countries we welcome your participation at Vietwater’17 from 8-10 November 2017 as well as Water Korea’18 from 20-23 March 2018.

Ozwater’17 International Program Sponsors: