Sejong, December 01 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) held the "Korea International Water Week (KIWW) 2022" at EXCO in Daegu on November 23. The KIWW is a global event co-hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Daegu Metropolitan City, K-water, and Korea Environment Corporation and organized by the Korea Water Forum.

The KIWW, the largest event for water in Korea, has been held annually since 2016 to strengthen the country's global positioning in the water sector and assist domestic companies' overseas expansion. The KIWW was held after three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A large number of high-level officials in the water sector attended the KIWW 2022, including the World Water Council, Global Water Partnership, Minister of Land Management, Water, and Sanitation Services of Botswana, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Minister of Environment of Cambodia, Ambassadors to Korea, and Chairperson of the American Water Works Association.

During the KIWW 2022, under the theme of "Sustainable Water Management for Humans and Nature," the participants discussed policies and technologies to respond to water disasters becoming more severe worldwide due to climate change. 

At the "Water Leader's Round Table," high-level participants shared policies and practices on water management resilient to the climate crisis. They adopted the "Water Leaders Action Declaration 2022." In the thematic seminar "TIP Platform," developing and developed countries shared and discussed technologies, policies, and practices with a focus on three keywords: Technology, Implementation, and Policy. Side events were also held, such as a contest for solutions to water issues. The "World Water Challenge" for domestic and foreign experts and the public, the "Water Environment Policy & Technology Contest" for domestic university students, and the "Korea Junior Water Contest" for domestic adolescents were held. In addition, the ministry also hosted citizen-participatory events, such as the "Water Culture & Civil Forum" and the "Youth Water Talk Concert," to enhance public understanding and raise public awareness of water issues.

During KIWW, each host organization also hosted various water-themed exhibitions and consultations at EXCO in Daegu to provide solutions to water problems and support businesses. The Ministry of Environment hosted a "Water Environment Policy Forum" to discuss water environment policies, a "Sewerage Workshop" to discuss sewerage policies, an "exhibition" to support the overseas expansion of domestic water companies, and an "invitational consultation meeting with major overseas clients." As the host of this year's International Water Week, Daegu Metropolitan City hosted the World Water Cities Forum 2022 by inviting experts from nine cities in nine nations, including Mikkeli in Finland, Kobe in Japan, and Saudad Juarez in Mexico, as well as international organizations to discuss solutions to city-specific water issues and cooperation for mutual development. In addition, the "8th International Water Industry Conference" provided a chance to exchange technologies and opportunities for domestic companies to enter new businesses. The conference also provided an opportunity to secure leadership in the international community and the domestic water industry for overseas expansion.

K-water hosted the following: "Green Transition Initiative in Central Asia," where high-ranking officials from five Central Asian countries discussed ways to cooperate in carbon neutrality; the "Ultra-Pure Water Technology International Conference" to discuss ultra-pure water industry policies and technologies required for semiconductor manufacturing; and the "Water Supply Policy Workshop" to share the most recent water supply policies.

Korea Environment Corporation hosted the "Basin Water Management Policy Forum"  to prepare basin-centered water management action plans and the "Urban Flooding Policy Forum for Adapting to Climate Change" to prevent urban flooding. Participants at the Korea Water Cluster R&D Forum discussed strategies to support promising water technology and a plan to develop a water industry "MPE" (Materials, Parts, and Equipment).

Environment Minister Han Wha-jin said, "Adaptation measures in preparation for climate change are measures for water disaster based on science and technology." She added, "I hope that the KIWW will become a global event related to water to overcome the climate crisis. I wish Korea's outstanding water management technology and experience are widely known."

Contact: Park Woon-yong, Deputy Director

Water Industry and International Cooperation Division / +82-(0)44-201-7629

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr