Digital Innovation in Water Management: AWC Special Session at the XIX World Water Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco

On December 2, the Asia Water Council (AWC) successfully hosted a special session entitled “Disruptive Innovation of Water Management with Digital Technologies” at the 19th World Water Congress. The session highlighted how smart water technologies such as digital twins, artificial intelligence, and the IoT are redefining the planning, operation, and governance of water systems. It also provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on case studies, governance considerations, and potential avenues for collaboration across countries and sectors.

The session featured presentations from the International Office for Water (OiEau), the Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, the Ministry of Water Resources of China, and the AWC Secretariat.

Dr. Eric Tardieu, Director General of OiEau, introduced innovative cases of applying AI and satellite data to water and wastewater management.

Ms. Yin Huijuan from the Yellow River Institute presented the application of digital technologies in water management across the Yellow River Basin and discussed future system development directions.

Mr. Wudi of the Ministry of Water Resources shared insights from the Daheyanzi Irrigation Project in Jinghe County.

Lastly, Dr. Taiwhan Kim, Director of Planning at the AWC Secretariat and Head Specialist of Global Cooperation Department at K-water, introduced AI-based digital water management technologies and highlighted K-water’s role in advancing the field.

This special session provided a meaningful platform to explore new approaches for addressing increasingly complex water challenges driven by climate change and urbanization, while showcasing the latest trends in digital water management.

In particular, the presentations reaffirmed the practical applicability and policy relevance of digital technologies in water management. Building on these discussions, AWC further strengthened its role as a platform for systematizing and disseminating innovative water management practices to the international community.