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IWP Announces First Executive Programme on Leadership in Water Governance

Singapore, November 12 – The Institute of Water Policy (IWP) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National
University of Singapore, will hold its first Executive Programme on Leadership in Water Governance from November 24
to December 5. The programme aims to help water utilities in Asia to cope with new institutional, regulatory, and
financial challenges. Conducted in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and PUB, Singapore’s national
water agency, the overarching goal of the programme is to work with policy makers to achieve sustainable water
resources development and management.
The Executive Programme will include policy makers in the water sector, senior managers in water utilities and
companies, as well as senior government officials responsible for water resources management.
The programme will explore different dimensions of water institutions and the economic and social drivers for
integrated water resource management. It will also cover tariff and standards regulation in water supply, sources of
finance, as well as patterns of public‐private partnerships. In achieving these goals, the programme will expose
participants to best practices in water sector leadership and management.
“This Executive Programme will help nurture water leaders, who can be the change agents,” said Dr. Seetharam,
Director of IWP. “With Singapore as its venue, Leadership in Water Governance enables participants to observe firsthand
how Singapore has emerged as a model city for sustainable water management.”
Although not naturally blessed with an abundance of land or water, PUB has overcome its water challenges to turn its
vulnerability into a strategic asset for the country. By investing in water technologies and R & D, it has put in place a
diversified and sustainable water supply system for Singapore known as the Four National Taps comprising water from
local catchment, imported water, reclaimed water (branded NEWater in Singapore) and desalinated water.
“PUB has worked hard over the last 40 years to overcome our water challenges and put in place a sustainable water
supply for our people through the Four National Taps strategy,” said Mr Khoo Teng Chye, Chief Executive of PUB. “Going
forward, we want to develop the water R&D sector by attracting international companies to do research here, set up
centres of excellence and make Singapore a focal point in their R&D and business developments. We aim to build
Singapore into a hub for water technologies – a wellspring of water solutions that can help other cities solve their
problems.
Launched on June 24, 2008 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore during International Water Week, The
Institute of Water Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy undertakes research on water policies and
governance in Singapore. With the strong backing and support of PUB, IWP’s aim is to be a leading research centre in
Asia for effective water policies, to build and strengthen a water policy research network in the region and to increase
the profile of water issues in national policy agenda.

Date: November 24 to December 5, 2008
Venue: Institute of Water Policy
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
National University of Singapore
469C Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 259772
For further information, please contact
Sharon Wong, Tel: +65 6516 6458, sppwsfs@nus.edu.sg or Rita Padawangi, Tel: +65 6516 7819, sppv57@nus.edu.sg

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