LISBON, Portugal: Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan who is now in Lisbon participating in the five-day International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress at the Lisbon Convention Centre here describes the congress as an ideal platform where water professionals share knowledge, collaborate and develop partnerships to deliver solutions that will shape the future of water.

Awang Tengah (second left) with Mohd Asfia (third left) and other members of the Sarawak delegation at the booth of an Austrian company, which is a leading pipe producer in the world, at the Lisbon Convention Centre. They were shown the world’s biggest pipe.

Awang Tengah (second left) having a discussion with Wu Hongmei, CEO of Beijing Scinor Water Technology. Others seen are Mohd Asfia (behind Awg Tengah), Entrie (third right) and Kho (second right).

“This is also an opportunity to connect with other water sector professionals and discuss current trends, latest research, guiding strategies and leading practices besides providing latest findings that allow participants to connect to new developments,” he said after attending one of the sessions.

What was also significant, he said, was that the congress provided insights and inspiration for cooperation and collaboration on research and practical applications with peers from the water sector.

The congress also witnessed several keynote speakers who presented their ideas and papers such as Jorge Moreira da Silva, Portugal’s Minister of Environment, Special Planning and Energy; Sue Murphy, CEO of Water Corporation of Western Australia who talked on ‘Transforming Utilities to Deliver Efficient and Sustainable Water Services’; Hans Rosling, professor of International Health Karolini Institute and chairman of Gapminder Foundation who delivered his paper on ‘Water as the Driving Force for Development and Health Benefits’.

Meanwhile, Awang Tengah who is also the Second Minister for Resource Planning and Environment and Minister for Industrial Development and his entourage was given a conducted tour to several booths set up by the participating countries yesterday afternoon.

The exhibition featured more than 200 booths set up by countries such as host country Portugal, Germany, China, Malaysia, Australia, United States of America, Ireland, Spain and Japan.

The booths displayed various latest technologies and innovations and best practices such as on operational management tools for water and wastewater utilities, water irrigation, operation on safety of drinking water, wastewater treatment, hydro pneumatic tanks for supply system and water irrigation, piping systems, fittings, filter media, rehabilitation of accessible and non-accessible pipes for all applications, hydro agriculture schemes and hydro power.

The Sarawak delegation comprised State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nasar, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entrie Muran, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, director of budget from State Financial Secretary’s Office Datu Junaidi Reduan, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Public Utilities Ubaidillah Abdul Latip, managing director of G&P Professionals (Sarawak) Ir Kho Lip Khiong and others from the state water authority and water consultants.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/09/25/congress-ideal-platform-for-waters-future/#ixzz3Fc1s5mOz