CRCWSC plays major role in the World Water Congress

Our CEO Professor Tony Wong and Chief Research Officer Professor Jurg Keller led a large CRCWSC delegation at the International Water Association’s World Water Congress and Exhibition in Tokyo from 16–19 September. Water sensitive city research and application were well represented in presentations and workshops during the four-day global event for the world’s water professionals.

This year the biennial event took its context from the Asia region and covered the digital economy, megacities, resilience and sustainability. Under the banner of ‘Shaping our water future’ the Congress covered three themes: utilities of the future (water utilities management; wastewater; and drinking water and potable reuse), cities of the future (urban water systems; and communities, integrated planning and the enabling environment), and basins of the future (large scale water management).

Kicking off a full speaking program, Jurg chaired and Tony participated in the Science to Practice Forum, which looked at the mechanisms and approaches that enable uptake of scientific knowledge and technology expertise into practically applied innovation. Tony later presented a master lecture on sustainable urban drainage/stormwater management for water wise cities and rounded out his program of appearances by giving the guest lecture at the Emerging Water Leaders Forum for young water leaders aged 35 years and younger.

During the Congress’ opening ceremony, IWA President Diane D’Arras presented Tony with the prestigious 2018 Global Water Award for his lifetime research on water sensitive urban design. We congratulate Tony on this well deserved honour.

Joining Tony and Jurg in Tokyo were our Chief Operating and Finance Officer, Ben Furmage; our Project Leader Tools and Products, Christian Urich; IRP1 Project Manager, Katie Hammer; and our International Engagement Manager—China, Jianbin Wang. Our team participated in the WaterWise Cities Forum at the start of the event, and Jianbin helped organise a Kunshan delegation to the Congress.

Our people were also on hand to provide information and resources as part of the Congress Exhibition, with a presence at both the International Water Association (IWA) and the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) stands.

The CRCWSC was pleased to have such a strong presence at this global event. It brings together water professionals, and those with a professional interest in water, from across the international community to share best practice, acquire new knowledge, and build networks and partnerships that will deliver solutions for the major water and wastewater challenges faced around the world. The next Congress will be held in Copenhagen in October 2020.

You can watch what happened on the opening day here. And you can learn more about the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition at https://worldwatercongress.org/