At its annual conference, German Water Partnership e. V. discussed the role of the German water industry in promoting sustainable water solutions to tackle global challenges
- Achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) requires leadership and a cross-sectoral policy approach.
- The German water sector can make a crucial contribution to promoting sustainable water solutions worldwide.
- Strategic exchange on political and entrepreneurial activities in target countries between the German government and GWP would add value for the economy and SDG 6.
Berlin, July 11, 2024 – On July 3, 2024, more than 150 members and partners of German Water Partnership e.V. (GWP) gathered in Berlin. At the industry association’s annual conference under the theme “Global Water Responsibility – Together for the Global Water Transition”, entrepreneurs, industry experts and decision-makers from the public sector and international organizations discussed the role that Germany can play in a global water transition.
The global challenges in regard to water resources are enormous. Around two billion people live in regions with water stress, more than three billion lack access to safe sanitary facilities and over two billion people have no access to safe drinking water. Climate change and its effects, global population growth, urbanization and ongoing armed conflicts are continually exacerbating the problems. The forecasts are cautious: “The targets set for 2030 can only be achieved with a major international effort, if at all,” states Dr. Reinhard Hübner, CEO of SKion Water GmbH, in his welcome address.
Dr. Bettina Hoffmann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), also addressed the future in her opening keynote speech: “The world is finally beginning to understand: Water is a crucial factor in combatting the triple planetary crisis – climate change, species extinction and pollution – but also for food security, energy production, education and many other areas. Without achieving our water goals, our global environmental and development goals will become unattainable.” Achieving these goals will require far-reaching international cooperation between a wide range of stakeholders. “Government, civil society and private sector involvement must go hand in hand,” Dr. Bettina Hoffmann concluded. In addition to international cooperation, she attaches great importance to environmental technologies: “We need to work together on modern, efficient and resource-saving technologies that make a significant contribution to higher environmental standards – worldwide.”
The panelists and participants agreed that the German water sector can make a significant contribution to overcoming global challenges: the German small and mid-sized sector offers solutions for sustainable water management and is therefore the key to the necessary climate adaptation measures. The export of technology and know-how to the target countries creates the basis for growth and prospects. In addition, environmental standards are exported, which represents an important step towards achieving several Sustainable Development Goals. GWP accelerates innovations and their implementation worldwide by connecting small and medium-sized enterprises, international corporations, municipal and private operators and scientific research institutions.
The question of project funding was also a topic at the conference. The possibilities of public funding in the context of development cooperation projects or research cooperation were discussed. The extent to which investments in water management can generate an adequate dividend was also explored. Capacity building, both in the technical area as well as in management and controlling and accompanying governance structures, are part of the path to an effective solution.
Regarding Europe, Nicola Beer, Vice-President at the European Investment Bank (EIB), puts it clearly: “To avoid social and economic upheaval, Europe must make its water infrastructure and management more sustainable.”
Ingo Hannemann, Technical Managing Director at HAMBURG WASSER and Chairman of the Board of German Water Partnership e.V. since June 2024, concludes the conference with a plea: “Let’s not think in silos and stop at the boundaries of departments, but look at the challenges holistically.” For such a systemic approach, it is crucial to bring different stakeholders from the water sector into dialogue with politicians. “The GWP annual conference was an important first step in this direction – the next ones will follow.”
Further information
About German Water Partnership e.V. (GWP)
With around 300 members – from university institutes and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises to municipal operators and globally represented component manufacturers – GWP has been committed to solving water and wastewater management challenges worldwide since 2008. International partnerships play a special role in the process. Through close exchange and knowledge transfer on sustainable technologies, GWP makes a holistic contribution to improving global water supply and wastewater disposal and successfully implements projects. The association is supported by the Federal Ministries of Economics, Environment, Education and Research, Economic Cooperation and the Federal Foreign Office.
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