Malaysia International Water Convention 2021 opens today

The Malaysian Water Association and the PROTEMP Group is welcoming water professionals to The Malaysia International Water Convention (MIWC) 2021. Taking place from 20-24 Sep 2021, this biennial convention will chart its transformation journey to reach new heights.

MIWC 2021 is supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water, and The National Water Services Commission. Themed Navigating the Future of Water in the New Norm, this year’s convention is attracting more than 80 professionals from around the world to share their insights, experiences and technologies which will drive the digital revolution, enabling water utilities to adopt a smarter approach to water and wastewater management, integrating digital technologies into water services.

Water remains to be an important sector in Malaysia and in most countries. The demand for clean water is growing, but the water industry is facing challenges from many directions. Climate change is threatening water resources, and pollution exacerbating supply. Unsustainable water and sewerage tariff remains to be a mounting task as utilities are under-funded, resulting in poorer delivery of services, and wasteful use of water. Leakages is causing RM 2 billion (US$479.4 million) of losses to water operators per year. In Malaysia, water services coverage for 6 states is still below the national average of 96.7%.

MIWC 2021 is where the water and wastewater industry get together to share their insights and country experiences, discover technologies and innovations, develop collaboration in research and development, and enhance human capital in the water industry.

This year, MIWC 2021 collaborates with the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2021), with keynotes and dialogues session to be streamed on both platforms. Attendees can move across platforms to participate in sessions and talks, and visit the booths of sponsors and exhibitors.

Some features of the MIWC 2021 includes:

  1. Conference

This conference-led convention features 60 local and international speakers, covering topics on 10 track themes.  As the conference is now virtual, we are now able to bring top water professionals from Malaysia, Netherlands, Thailand, Denmark, UK, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India and many more. 

  1. The 4th Malaysia-Netherlands Water Dialogue

This year’s dialogue will be on “Managing Water Pollution: An Integrated Solution Approach”. The panel discussion will focus on the challenges faced in managing water pollution and the innovative solution and technology to overcome this issue. Panellists include policy makers, technology innovators and water operators from Malaysia and the Netherlands.  Henk Ovink, special water envoy for International Water Affairs, the Netherlands will be making a special address.

  1. National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Dialogue

The dialogue will be on “Future of The Water Industry”. The panel discussion will look at public expectation for quality of service and delivery of water; threat of pollution and discussing the appropriate steps forward to be taken by industry players and whether it is time for the industry to look at alternative sources for raw water. YB Tuan Haji Wan Hassan bin Mohd Ramli, Chairman, Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN), Malaysia will be delivering a keynote at this session.

  1. Virtual technical tours

Presented virtually, MIWC 2021 is able to offer technical tours to Massachusetts USA, Thailand, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. Each day, audience may experience a different facility that ranges from underwater trunk repairs to a water reclamation project, water treatment plant and a solar project in Sarawak.

  1. Tech sessions

Open to public, there will be a dedicated room for tech sessions presented by more than 20 water professionals from both private and public sectors.

  1. Exhibition

MIWC 2021 will feature about 50 sponsors, conference partners and exhibitors who will be presenting their latest innovations and technologies that can help the water industry transform digitally, and to deliver sustainable water services.

  1. Training workshops

There will be two workshops organised by Malaysian Water Academy (MyWA) with objectives to provide training to the participant on the procedure for development of sewerage works with respect to planning and design submission, inspection of construction work and certification of sewerage system; to introduce the Industry 4.0 for water supply and wastewater sector.

MIWC 2021 will offer five-packed days filled with a wide range of utility and industry-specific content, with a focus on water reforms in navigating the new norms to stay resilient and sustainable. Visitors is able to benefit from access to the event covering both the visit of the exhibition, networking opportunities, and attendance to keynotes, tech sessions, and dialogues.