UAE And Republic Of Korea Strengthen Cooperation In Water Management Initiatives

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) in the UAE and Korea's Ministry of Environment recently convened for the 7th Joint Operation Committee meeting on Water Resource Cooperation. This gathering focused on exchanging the latest advancements in water management and enhancing collaboration in related areas.

Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, co-chaired the meeting with Seunghwan Lee, Director-General for Water Use Policy Bureau of Korea's Ministry of Environment. Al Olama emphasised the importance of water, stating, "Water is essential for life, ecosystems, and economies; it is among the first national priorities for many countries, especially because water plays a crucial role in food and energy security."

The UAE has made strides in water sustainability despite its desert climate. The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 was developed to ensure ongoing access to safe water. Al Olama highlighted that cooperation with Korea serves as a successful model for achieving global climate goals through innovative technology research and development.

Seunghwan Lee noted that since signing an MoU in 2015, both nations have held six meetings to discuss joint initiatives in the water sector. He expressed optimism about this year's discussions: "I am confident the 7th meeting will serve as an opportunity for discussions in various fields and hope that you find Korea’s water management technologies effective and applicable."

During the meeting, UAE representatives showcased future plans for smart water network management projects. They also discussed managing surface water, flash floods, and dams within the country. Korean experts shared insights into floating photovoltaic projects and urban flood early warning systems.

Both countries aim to foster knowledge exchange and capacity building through these collaborative efforts. This partnership seeks to meet future sustainable water and energy goals by leveraging innovative technologies.

The meeting underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges related to water resources. By sharing expertise and experiences, both nations aim to enhance their capabilities in managing vital resources effectively.

With inputs from WAM