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CESG & SIWW 2024 Conclude with Transformative Insights and Strengthened Global Alliances

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This year’s CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG) and Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) brought together stakeholders from governments, academia, industry and international organisations to share best practices, co-create innovative environmental and urban water solutions, and generate new business opportunities.

 

Hosting over 30,000 attendees, CESG 2024 from 19 to 21 June and SIWW2024 from 18 to 22 June saw the announcements of strategic partnerships, calls for tender and research grants, and facilitated numerous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signings towards building a greener, more climate-resilient and sustainable future amidst resource scarcity globally.

 

To this end, CESG 2024 and SIWW2024 have paved the way for several significant initiatives, rallying the industries to take ownership to tackle environmental and water challenges. These include:

 

CESG 2024

  • S$90 million boost for the environmental services industry through the Productivity Solutions Grant to accelerate the adoption of technological solutions and equipment to strengthen innovation, improve productivity and create quality jobs.
  • Signings of seven Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at CESG2024 to advance opportunities in technology, innovation and co-creation of solutions for the clean environment and sustainability space.
  • Launch of Enviro Tech Innovation Hub, a “living laboratory” dedicated to advancing sustainable environmental cleaning and integrated facilities management by co-creating and test-bedding innovative solutions, planning and carrying out initiatives for workforce upskilling and talent development.
  • Launch of new Closed-Loop Partners Network by SembWaste, a first-of-its-kind platform in Singapore aimed at fostering industry partnerships to advance a circular economy.
  • Modern Asia Environmental Holding’s (MAEH) (a subsidiary of DOWA Eco-System Co., Ltd.) plans to extend material worth through re-use, re-processing and re-manufacturing, to support the broader goal of sustainable urban development.
  • Exploration of new technologies for waste management via a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights into the industry’s interest and commercial viability of alternative disposal technologies to treat mixed municipal solid waste.
  • Strengthening efforts to nurture young talents in the environmental services industry with nine Polytechnic and ITE students awarded scholarships under the NEA-Industry Scholarship Programme and recognising the pioneer batch of 26 Youth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) leaders who spearheaded 12 impactful projects and reached out to over 18,000 people to raise greater awareness on sustainability concerns.

 

SIWW 2024

  • Launch of the Singapore Water Centre by the World Bank Group in partnership with the Singapore Government, to leverage Singapore’s expertise and knowledge in urban water management to support the water sector in countries in the region and beyond.
  • Signings of more than 10 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) at SIWW2024. Among them is a MOU between PUB and Aarhus Vand, a Danish water utility, to advance knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer, especially in the areas of innovation, energy-efficient used water treatment, resource circularity and climate resiliency.
  • Announcement of a tender for the development of a 55 megawatt-peak (MWp) floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) system at Pandan Reservoir. This project will see the installation of floating solar panels on the reservoir’s surface, adding to Singapore’s renewable energy capacity, while ensuring there continues to be adequate space for recreational water activities in the Pandan Reservoir.
  • Announcement of a tender to expand Changi Water Reclamation Plant. In line with PUB’s efforts to invest in used water infrastructure, the expansion, estimated to cost about S$2 billion, will raise Changi WRP’s used water treatment capacity by up to 96 million gallons per day (mgd).
  • Announcement of the second tranche of research projects under the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) Singapore and the launch of an open Request-for-Proposal (RFP) by PUB to seek innovative solutions to support Singapore’s coastal protection and flood management efforts.

 

The Sustainability Summit on 19 June at CESG 2024, themed “Towards a Net Zero City” convened industry leaders to discuss strategic policies, innovations, and international collaborations for advancing low carbon transitions and addressing environmental challenges. Plenaries focused on accelerating climate action and decarbonisation ahead of COP29, highlighting resource resilience and key sustainability issues across the Asia Pacific region. In her opening address, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, reiterated Singapore’s commitment to sustainability and the importance of sustainable practices to secure a vibrant and healthy future for generations to come.

 

Climate adaptation is a new key pillar of SIWW2024, specifically the issue of addressing coastal and flood resilience. Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, made the call for closer partnerships between the public and private sectors in addressing coastal and flood risks at the inaugural Coastal and Flood Resilience Leaders Summit on 20 June. Serving as a three-way intermediary between the industry, institutes of higher learning, and government agencies, the Singapore Water Association will be launching a new Coastal Protection Chapter to foster collaboration among companies and support the implementation of coastal protection infrastructure.

 

In a world increasingly defined by pressing environmental challenges, the managing directors of both events echoed the pivotal role of collaborative platforms such as CESG and SIWW, to continue to move the dial for global sustainability and water management.

 

“As we progress towards our national and global sustainability goals, we continue to navigate the complexities of climate change and sustainability. This is why platforms such as CESG are crucial in forging pathways for collaboration and innovation. Together with our global partners, we will be able to innovate new solutions and technologies that not only mitigate environmental impacts but also set new benchmarks for global sustainability practices,” said Mr. Kwok Wai Choong, Managing Director of CESG.

 

“As a unique global platform that brings together governments, cities, utilities, and industry from the region and the world, the 10th edition of SIWW marked a significant milestone as one of the most successful editions yet. We are confident that the knowledge sharing, thought leadership, and strategic collaborations that came forth from the event will continue to drive actionable solutions towards solving the world’s most pressing urban water and associated climate challenges,” said Mr. Ryan Yuen, Managing Director of SIWW.

 

The next edition of SIWW and CESG will return in 2026.

 

 

Xylem Affirmed Singapore as their Greater Asia Headquarters

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SINGAPORE – Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL), a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, today announced at Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2014 that Singapore has been chosen as the company’s Greater Asia headquarters. The regional headquarters will drive continued geographic and market expansion in the region, reflecting Singapore’s leading position in the water industry. SIWW, which takes place from June 1 to 5, also marks Patrick Decker’s first official visit to the region as Xylem’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Our Let’s Solve Water” tagline is an inspirational call to action for our employees. It’s also an invitation to like-minded partners around the world to join us in developing solutions to one of the world’s most urgent issues – the need for clean, safe water and sanitation,” said Decker. “Xylem is focused on developing and growing water markets, and we are continuing to expand our presence where demand for water is escalating due to fast-expanding populations. Much of this growth is occurring right here in Asia, which is why we are proud to announce that Singapore will join China as one of Xylem’s regional headquarters.”

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries integrate as a single economic community in 2015 and embark on key infrastructure projects, Xylem is well positioned as a technology and equipment provider focused on helping the region meet its
present and future water needs. Xylem’s presence in Mainland China continues to grow, with two factories, research and development capabilities and a business headquarters located in Shanghai. Through these two designated headquarter locations in Asia, Xylem will
be well positioned to steer and drive growth in Greater Asia and Mainland China.
“Our headquarters in Singapore will oversee, manage and function as our local ‘center of excellence’ as we continue to drive growth in the region,” said Allan Hendry, regional director for Greater Asia. “Locally, we are proud to be partnering with PUB, Singapore’s national water agency on research and development programs, as well as with other local companies in the areas of smart water networks and offshore and marine applications.”
“We are delighted that Xylem has affirmed Singapore as their Greater Asia headquarters. Over the years, Singapore has been growing its water industry with research and innovation as the key drivers,” said Chua Soon Guan, PUB’s deputy chief executive of policy and
development. “Through a slew of funding opportunities, commercialisation programmes and test-bedding opportunities, we offer a conducive platform that drives cutting-edge water solutions. This expansion of activities by a major global water company like Xylem reinforces Singapore’s position as a global hydrohub, especially in Asia. Xylem will join more than 130 water companies and 28 research institutes spanning the entire spectrum of the water value chain who have presence in Singapore,” According to the Singapore Economic Development Board, Singapore will see the water sector’s contribution to its GDP rise to $1.7 billion in 2015 – from $0.5 billion in 2003. Local jobs for the sector are expected to double to about 11,000, and will largely comprise professional and skilled positions.
Xylem is a founding partner of Singapore International Water Week and has participated in the meeting since 2008. The five-day event will take place at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Hotel, in conjunction with the World Cities Summit (WCS) and CleanEnviro Summit
Singapore (CESS). Xylem’s exhibition space, located within the Sands Expo & Convention Center, will feature Xylem’s “Virtual Resilient City,” as well as selected technology from the company’s portfolio of products and brands. Throughout the week, there will also be product demonstrations and videos showcasing the company’s innovative capabilities.
As part of the company’s participation in SIWW 2014, Xylem’s President and CEO Patrick Decker will be a panellist at the TechXchange forum along with other industry leaders. He will also speak at the Water Leaders Summit. For more information on SIWW 2014 and
individual events open to the press, visit http://www.siww.com.sg.

About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology provider, enabling customers to transport, treat, test and efficiently use water in public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural settings. The company does business in more than 150 countries through a number of market-leading product brands, and its people bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on finding local solutions to the world’s most challenging water and wastewater problems. Xylem was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the last two years for advancing sustainable business practices and solutions worldwide.
For more information, please visit us at www.xylem.com.