Most people hadn’t heard of my country – here’s why I spoke up at Ozwater’25

Tien Kiritobwa is the Lead/Senior Operator responsible for the daily operations, maintenance, and water quality testing at the South Tarawa desalination plants, Kiribati. With over five years of experience at the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and seven months with Osmoflo, she plays a key role in managing two critical facilities: the Betio plant (4MLD) and the McKenzie plant (3MLD). Tien attended Ozwater’25 in Adelaide with the support of Osmoflo, where she proudly represented Kiribati and the broader Pacific water community.

Image: Tien (fifth from left) stands with peers at Ozwater'25.

Standing tall for the Pacific at Ozwater'25

Being at Ozwater’25 in Australia was a great experience for me. Connecting with new people and other young water professionals from different organisations and countries was both rewarding and educational.

We introduced ourselves, shared experiences, and spoke openly about the challenges our countries are facing right now. Listening to keynote speakers, hearing their stories, and participating in sessions focused on the past, present, and future was deeply inspiring. Our site visit to Breakout Creek/Purruna Pari where they transformed a drain into a river was eye-opening and rewarding.

Looking back, I’m proud of myself for facing challenges and working hard to get where I am. I’m now focused on continuing that work – leading by example and taking responsibility for creating a better future. I learned so much through my Australian visit and participation in Ozwater’25. As a leader, I believe it’s my responsibility to help build a better future for my team, my community, my people, and my country.

I’m also proud to have participated as a panellist and to be the voice representing my beautiful country – Kiribati. Many of the people I met at Ozwater had never heard of it or knew what we’re going through right now.

Connecting with peers

One standout moment for me was being at the Osmoflo exhibition stand at Ozwater’25. I got to meet the Osmoflo senior leaders and team members, who were kind, friendly, and helpful. They made me feel at home. I also had the chance to walk around the expo, visit different companies’ stands, explore new technologies, watch demonstrations, and meet new people and partners across the industry.

Beyond Ozwater’25, I also had the opportunity to visit our main office in Adelaide and see how things run there – from the office teams to the large desalination plants and control centre.

New perspectives

Ozwater’25 and my time in Australia changed the way I think. Seeing a different environment – the landscapes, clean beaches, and the focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling – helped me realise how much more we can do, not just in our work, but in how we live and engage with our surroundings.

Before, I was mainly focused on my job – leading my team and operating the plant. Now, I want to expand my focus to include my community and our environment. I want to contribute wherever I can to protect our natural resources and create a better future for the next generation in the water sector.

This was such a great opportunity for me, and for the other Pacific Young Water Professionals who attended. It has inspired us to lead change and help shape a brighter future for us all.