10-12 May 2023 | Gadigal Country in Sydney, Australia

Ozwater is the Australian Water Association’s annual three-day conference and exhibition featuring a strong line-up of international and national keynote speakers, scientific and technical papers, case studies, workshops, panel sessions and poster presentations.

Attendees also have access to:

• A trade exhibition of 200+ exhibitors
• Young Water Professionals Program
• Water Leaders and Directors Program
• International Program
• Site tours
• Social Functions
• Australian Water Awards Gala Dinner

For more information, see the Ozwater website.

AWP Engagement at Ozwater 

The Australian Water Partnership is proudly supporting the Australian Water Association (AWA) as the International Development Partner to deliver a comprehensive and inspiring three-day conference program under the theme United by Water. In collaboration with WaterAid and AWA’s international team, we aim to highlight the importance of development work done by Australia in partnerships between neighbours across the Asia-Pacific region.

AWP is convening the ‘International Partnerships for Water and Climate Action’ stream organised with AWA, and will also convene a workshop/panel on the ‘Diverse Values of Water’ all on Thursday, 11 May 2023. 

Stream: International Partnerships for Water and Climate Action  

10:50am – 12:00pm | Partnerships to build water sector strength and accelerate climate resilience 

This session will explore the theme of partnerships between stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds and how they approach development work through partnerships. The panel discussion aims to bring together perspectives on the benefits and challenges of partnering for strengthening the water sector and achieving climate resilience, featuring the leaders of water utility associations from Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Pacific Region, AWA as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Speakers include: 

• Sarah Ransom, General Manager, AWP 
• Peter O’Connor, Director, Water Security and Nature-based Solutions, DFAT   
• Mr Minh Lim, Executive Director, Cambodian Water Supply Association   
• Mrs Lusia Sefo Leau, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Water and Wastewater Association
• Mr Agus Sunara, Executive Director, PERPAMSI (Indonesian Water Supply Association)  
• Ms Ha Thanh Hang, Vice Chairwoman, Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association 
• Ms Sally Armstrong, Head of International and Industry Programs, AWA
• Katharine Cross (Moderator) 

1:20pm – 3:05pm | Building Climate Resilient Water Management 

This session will include two panels that will explore international perspectives on climate resilient water management. The first will focus on how international organisations are building climate resilient water management at a programmatic level. Speakers will feature the Asian Development Bank, WaterAid, Kemitraan Indonesia Australia untuk Infrastruktur (KIAT), Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAP RED), and AWA. The second will have insights on how water utilities from Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Pacific Region and Australia are approaching climate adaptation and mitigation.  

Panel 1: Building climate resilient water management at a programmatic level  

• Sally Armstrong, Head of International and Industry Programs, AWA 
• Tanvi Oza, WaterAid Australia   
• Maria Tran, Asian Development Bank   
• Ben Smith, KIAT  
• Mr Ratanak Hoeun, CAP RED   
• Lucy Chilver, AWP (Moderator)  

Panel 2: Water resilience and climate adaptation/ mitigation in action  

• Ms Elisiva Tapueluelu, Deputy CEO, Tonga Water Board 
• Mr HUYNH Thien Dinh, Deputy General Manager – Can Tho Water Supply and Sewerage Company
• Mr Yay Monirath, Deputy Director, Siem Reap Water Supply Authority  
• Mr Andi Wijaya, Managing Director,Perumda Tirta Musi Palembang 
• Sally Armstrong, AWA (Moderator)

AWP Workshop/Panel

4:00 – 5:30pm | Diverse values of water – convergence of Indigenous, traditional, local and western knowledge for climate resilient water management 

Australia’s ongoing engagement with the balance between economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits, in a water scarce environment, has generated lessons which can be considered in water policy reform journeys in other basins around the world. The session will explore how diverse types of knowledge collaborate, how water is valued, and how this affects water and climate action.

Speakers:  

• Sonia Cooper, Yorta Yorta   
• Nick Austin, Water Trust Australia  
• Sarah Leck, Aither  
• Matthew Dadswell, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water 

All AWP sessions will take place in room C4.9 at the International Convention Centre Sydney and can also be joined online. We also welcome you to visit the AWP and WaterAid stand (E22) to meet members of our team.