23rd AWC Board of Council Meeting &
Technical Seminar Successfully Held in Hanoi, Vietnam
The 23rd AWC Board of Council (BoC) Meeting & Technical Seminar was successfully held on November 5–6, 2025, in Hanoi, Vietnam, co-organized by the Asia Water Council (AWC), the Northern Division for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NVWATER), and the Vietnam Water and Environment Association (VWEA). The event brought together around 200 participants, including government officials, AWC Board Members, international stakeholders, and leading water-technology companies.
Technical Seminar & Business EXPO:
Showcasing Water Innovation and Strengthening Partnerships
The two-day program opened with the Technical Seminar and Business EXPO on the morning of November 5. The seminar provided a timely opportunity to exchange knowledge on emerging water challenges and explore the potential of digital and climate-resilient water technologies.
In his keynote remarks, Dr. Seogdae Yun, President of AWC and CEO of K-water, emphasized the growing importance of digital water-management technologies in delivering sustainable and resilient water solutions across Asia. He also underscored K-water’s commitment to supporting international partners and introduced the strengths of Korean water-technology companies.
Representing the host country, H.E. Le Cong Thanh, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, highlighted the complex water challenges facing Asia—from climate change to rapid urbanization and groundwater depletion—and expressed strong expectations for deepening Korea–Vietnam cooperation in water governance and technology.
The seminar featured presentations from key Vietnamese institutions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment introduced its digital transformation plan for national water governance, while VWEA presented the current status and future direction of the country’s water and wastewater sector. The NVWATER also introduced the Hanoi Initiative, aimed at enhancing basin-level and urban water management through the AWC platform.
K-water followed with an overview of its institutional experience, digital technologies, and ongoing cooperation projects in Vietnam. Korean companies introduced a wide range of solutions from AI-driven treatment plants and digital-twin platforms to smart metering networks and leak-management systems.
During the EXPO session, 14 companies held 82 business meetings. The event served as a robust platform to connect Vietnamese public institutions and companies with Korea’s innovative water-tech industry.
Bilateral Meeting with Vietnam’s Vice Minister:
Expanding Korea–Vietnam Cooperation
On the same day, AWC held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Le Cong Thanh, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment. The AWC President conveyed his appreciation for the ministry’s support in hosting the event in Vietnam.
From the President’s perspective, the meeting was an important occasion to reaffirm continued collaboration with Vietnam as an active member of the Council. He highlighted AWC’s commitment to advancing shared objectives aimed at improving water governance, promoting knowledge exchange, and supporting innovative solutions, thereby contributing to regional and global progress in the water sector.
23rd AWC Board of Council Meeting:
Strengthening Governance and Advancing Regional Initiatives
The 23rd BoC Meeting convened on the afternoon of November 5, gathering AWC Board Members and partners. The meeting reviewed the progress of preparations for the 4소 Asia International Water Week (AIWW), explored AWC’s participation strategy for the 11th World Water Forum, etc.
A key outcome was the formal approval of five new members that joined AWC since the previous meeting through a written procedure. In addition, AWC, NVWATER, and VWEA signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding, reinforcing their joint commitment to addressing water challenges in the region through strengthened cooperation.
The meeting concluded with a collective review of upcoming international events and strategic initiatives, reaffirming AWC’s leadership role in advancing regional water dialogue.
Welcome Dinner: Building Stronger Networks
A welcome dinner was hosted for all participants, providing an opportunity to celebrate the successful launch of the 23rd BoC Meeting and Technical Seminar. The evening offered a warm environment for networking and strengthened the relationships among government representatives, experts, and industry partners.
OECD–AWC Regional Track Session:
Advancing Water Accounting for Asia
On November 6, AWC and OECD co-organized a Regional Track Session on Water Accounting, attended by representatives from Vietnam MAE, Thailand ONWR, FAO, K-water, and other partners.
The session highlighted the increasing relevance of Water Accounting as a tool for linking hydrological systems with economic and policy decision-making. OECD introduced global concepts and methodologies, while Vietnam and Thailand presented their national roadmaps and legislative efforts. Australia shared best practices in Water Accounting implementation.
The session played an important role in laying the groundwork for a coordinated regional approach to Water Accounting across Asia.
Cultural Site Visits:
Strengthening Solidarity Among AWC Members
In the afternoon, AWC Board Members joined a cultural tour of key landmarks in Hanoi, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake. The tour not only offered participants an opportunity to experience Vietnam’s cultural heritage but also fostered personal connections and mutual understanding among institutional leaders.
A Strong Step Forward for Regional Cooperation
The 23rd AWC BoC Meeting & Technical Seminar in Hanoi successfully showcased the synergy of policy dialogue, technical cooperation, business networking, and cultural exchange. The outcomes strengthened AWC’s collaboration with Vietnam, expanded business opportunities for Water-tech companies, and advanced regional discussions on Water Accounting and integrated water management.
The event reaffirmed AWC’s growing role as a leading platform for cooperation and innovation, contributing to sustainable and climate-resilient water solutions across Asia.
