Regional water meet in Port Moresby

The 3rd Pacific Water and Wastes Association conference will be held in Port Moresby from September 13-15 at the Holiday Inn.

Over 100 participants from the region including Australia and New Zealand are expected to attend the conference, themed – ‘Water Quality Challenges in the Pacific’.

These include water utilities, suppliers, and exhibitors.

Preceding the conference will be a ‘Water Quality’ Workshop at the Coast Watchers Hotel in Madang from September 9-10 sponsored by AusAID through City West Australia.

Governor General Sir Paulias Matane will officially open the workshop and State Owned Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare will give the keynote address.

Trade and Industry Minister Minister Gabriel Kapris will open the trade show (expo) which will coincide with the conference and will see displays from organisations involved in the water and sanitation industry.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will be the guest-of-honour during a Pacific night on Tuesday while National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop will be the guest during welcome cocktail on Monday night.

Other guests include heads of departments, statutory organisations, SOE’s, high commissioners and members of the Pacific community.

There are three sub-themes of:

·        Water quality;

·        Water sustainability –challenges and opportunities; and

·         Climate change.

Conference will bring together speakers from the region’s water utilities, donors and other stakeholders to share ideas and find innovative solutions to address the Pacific’s common water woes, thus, ensuring future access to safe and clean water for the Pacific.

Access to safe drinking water is vital for our health and well-being.

 Conference is being co-hosted by the nation’s two water utilities – PNG Waterboard and Eda Ranu.

The Host Chair is Mr Billy Imar –General Manager of Eda Ranu while CEO & MD of PNG Waterboard Mr Patrick Amini is the current PWWA Chair.

 Sponsors in cash and kind include National Gaming Control Board, Meddent, NCDC, IPBC, SP Brewery, PNG Waterboard and JC-KRTA Consulting Group