MEDIA

RELEASE

2 April 2008

QUEENSLAND SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR JOINT WATER MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES WITH CHINA
 

Queensland reached an international milestone in water management in Beijing yesterday with the signing of an agreement between the Queensland government supported International WaterCentre (IWC) and a company of China’s Ministry of Water Resources (MWR).
 

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh observed the signing in Beijing as part of her regional trade mission.
 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is representative of the cooperative activities to be undertaken between the IWC and MWR’s China Water International Engineering Consulting Co Ltd within the fields of consultancy, research, education and training in water management.
 

IWC CEO Mark Pascoe said the signing of the MOU between the two parties acknowledged the stature and recognition of Queensland’s water management skills on an international level.

“As the challenges caused by global warming reach critical levels and the world’s growing populations increasingly wish to live and work in urban centres, there is a greater need for water management on a global level and IWC is at the forefront of advancing these skills internationally” Mr Pascoe said.

“IWC recognises water as a critical component of sustainable development essential for socio-economic welfare, poverty reduction, human and environmental health and is committed to setting international benchmarks in integrated water management which can be followed across the globe,” he said.

The agreement follows a number of joint training and research initiatives between IWC and the MWR as well as information sharing at the International Yellow River Forum and the Brisbane-based International RiverSymposium.

The IWC has been steadily building a relationship with MWR through these activities and is currently hosting 10 fellows from Yellow River Conservancy Commission who are currently undertaking an AusAID-funded Australian Leadership Award Professional Development Program in Integrated River Basin Management.

The International WaterCentre is a joint venture business centre established in 2005 to provide quality skills, services and products in addressing and managing the world’s water resources, waterways and catchments.

The IWC operates as a joint venture consultancy, skills transfer, training and education services organisation established through the cooperation of foundation partners The University of Queensland, Griffith University, Monash University and the University of Western Australia.

IWC also involves government and corporate support and has received $2.4 million in funding support from the Queensland Government over the past four years.
 

IWC promotes and markets Australia’s capabilities in water management to the Asia-Pacific region and wider international market place.

Ends.

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For more information, please contact:

Kristin Devitt

KD Public Relations

PR Consultant to the International Water Centre

p 07 3136 2555

m 0419 787 059

e kristin@kdpr.com.au