Samoa attends Pacific Water Conference

06 August 2016, 12:00AM

PR - Participants from across the Pacific are in Tonga this week for the Pacific Water Conference and Expo 2016 and the annual Water Ministers Meeting.

The theme for this year is Our Water, Our People. Tonga Water Board is hosting the event in Nuku’alofa attended by close to two hundred participants.

“The meeting will be an opportunity for the Pacific water services sector to network, engage and collaborate with leaders and experts from around the region and the world,” said Saimone Helu, Chief Executive Officer for Tonga Water Board.

The Tonga Water Board team led by Mr. Helu, and Elisiva Tapueluelu the Deputy Chief Executive Officer are coordinating all arrangements for the event, from customs clearance for exhibitors, to relevant invitations, logistics, accommodation, etc.

“It will be our pleasure to welcome the participants from our various Pacific Countries to the Kingdom of Tonga. They will be much to share and learn from each other for those in the industry,” said Ms. Tapuelueleu.

This Pacific Ministerial is the second of Water Minsters meeting in the region, the 1st hosted by Papua New Guinea last in Port Moresby last year.

“This year’s agenda is expected to pave the way for an achievement of SDG 6 and Access to Water and Sanitation for all in the Pacific, in addition to charting out ways P.W.W.A can better serve the region in coordinating efforts for public and private partnerships in related efforts,” said P.W.W.A Executive Officer, Latu Kupa.

The P.W.W.A annual general meeting this year will include discussion and decisions on the P.W.W.A sustainability exercise, supported by A.D.B consultants, in addition to an update on the appointment of a full time Chief Executive Officer. The future structure of the regional organisation and funding arrangement are also expected to top the agenda.

Members will also be expected to endorse the joint World Bank P.W.W.A 2014 Pacific Water and Wastewater Utilities Benchmarking Report, which this year includes new gender performance measures of each Utility.

The meeting is a major event in the annual calendar for the Samoa based Pacific Water and Wastewater Association. The P.W.W.A is a not for profit membership body established in 1994 operating in the water and wastewater sectors.

Its mission is the delivery of quality water related services that enhance the wellbeing of people throughout the Pacific Island region.

P.W.W.A membership currently comprises of various Pacific water stakeholders including 28 Pacific Island water and wastewater utilities across 22 countries and component states, international water authorities and associations, private sector equipment and service supply companies, contractors, consultants and individuals. The P.W.W.A has been based in Samoa since 2007.

06 August 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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