Building on the UN's 2030 Agenda for Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ASEM organized its 5th International Seminar on the main theme of international knowledge sharing and cooperation on more sustainable water management development, environmental protection and environmental cooperation in ASEM member countries on 17 November 2022 in Changsha, China.
The Hungarian Water Partnership (HWP) and the Hungarian Water Association (HWA) co-organized the preparations and implementation of the international professional event. Due to health security risks, the event was only open to participants from Changsha, while participants from outside the region and speakers could join the scientific and practical discussions remotely (online). The organizers broadcast the entire event live..
Focusing on the key issues of sustainable development, the seminar on urban water management provided a platform for participating experts to learn about policy perspectives from European and Asian countries and to promote the exchange of experience and information sharing.
The main theme of the event was to explore how to turn recent economic and environmental challenges into opportunities by focusing on water and sustainability. It also aimed to analyze how to make water utility and water management development sustainable from a financing perspective. The seminar also demonstrated how the interconnectedness of water can strengthen the water awareness that is essential for social actors to act and the potential for shifting scientific, industrial, business, and individual responsibility towards sustainability at micro and macro levels.
The session, chaired by Dr. Károly Kovács PhD (oec), aimed to present the role of water in the international value chain. The session analysed the related policy regulations, regulators (EU taxonomy), and the role of water in the circular economy.
Starting with the identification of investment needs in municipal water infrastructure, the presentation highlighted the importance of water asset valuations, the analysis of the data obtained, their role in cost recovery and affordability, and how to ensure the financial background of sustainable water infrastructure development, supported by concrete examples.
Background:
What is the Eurasian Cooperation, ASEM?
The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was established in 1996 as a forum for dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Asia. It aims to strengthen relations between the two continents.
ASEM brings together 53 partners: 30 European countries (the 28 EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland), 21 Asian countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.
What is ASEM Water?
ASEM WATER is the permanent organisation for water research and development under the ASEM mechanism, established in 2011 following the decision of the 8th ASEM Summit.
ASEM WATER brings together Eurasian member countries to address challenges in water resources management. As an international regional organisation, it promotes scientific and technological cooperation in the field of water and brings together governmental organisations, agencies, research institutes, universities and other professional associations from ASEM member states interested in water resources protection.
Hungary actively participates in the work of ASEM Water through its role as a line ministry and through the Hungarian Water Partnership (HWP). In 2012, the ASEM Water Academic and Development Committee was established, with 24 members delegated by member organisations. The Chair of the HWP has been elected as Vice-Chair of the Commission and in this capacity he plays an active and influential role in the development of Eurasian water cooperation.
Every two years, ASEM WATER organises an international seminar on sustainable urban water management and current issues affecting the water sector, with hundreds of participants.
