On 16 December 2020, the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) participated virtually in the 12th Board of Council meeting of the Asia Water Council (AWC). The AWC is comprised of more than 100 member organisations representing more than 26 countries worldwide, which includes two of AWP’s International Partners—Asian Development Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The AWC provides a useful network for practitioners facing similar water for development challenges, with water and climate change—and more recently impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the water sector—being a central focus for AWC and its members. Its vision is to be a platform that shares sustainable water best practice and link water issues with solutions. As a Board of Council member, AWP has the opportunity to showcase activities and initiatives from its Australian Partners and exchange practical experiences and dialogue on water management.
AWP CEO Michael Wilson was officially appointed as the Board member representing Australia, taking over from former CEO Nick Schofield. Michael presented on the COVID-19 Water Security Risk Index, an AWP initiative to support the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 in the Indo-Pacific, with members showing an interest in learning more about how the tool can be used to prioritise water investments.
Screenshot of the AWC Board of Council members in attendance (credit: Asia Water Council)
To enhance the visibility of projects in the Asia region, AWC members will now be able to obtain an AWC Label. Projects with AWC labelling will be evaluated and awarded at the 2nd Asia International Water Week (AIWW), being held on 3–6 November 2021 in Indonesia. AWP is participating in the first of six one-hour panel seminars focused on Water Security for Sustainable Growth on 4 March, leading up to AIWW.
