K-water Dictionary : Water, Nature and Humankind

K-water Dictionary
K-water works out water issues
through cross-border cooperation
K-water actively engages in cross-border cooperation to work out global water issues.
K-water not only responds to water issues but also helps improve water welfare
by conducting joint research with research institutes in both leading and developing countries.
Here are some of K-water’s key words associated with international cooperation.
Written by Choi Haeng-jwa Illustrated by Ha Go-Go Source K-water

Asia Water Council

(AWC)

As the largest water-related cross-border cooperation organization in Asia, AWC was launched to raise global awareness of Asia’s water issues and develop practical solutions to water problems. The special committee meets to develop Asia’s water agenda and implement water projects. General meetings and board meetings are held regularly, with the Asia International Water Week(AIWW) held every three years. AWC has 151 member organizations from 24 countries including China, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

International Environmental Cooperation Center

(IECC)

Organizations, corporations, or groups with expertise in international cooperation as required to respond to environmental issues including climate change, marine pollution, and fine dust can be designated as IECC. K-water was designated as IECC in February 2022 by the Ministry of Environment to be in charge of ODA in the area of environment and climate as well as international emission reduction projects.

Korea-Mekong Water Resource Management Collaborative Research Center

(KMCRC)

Established by K-water in January 2020, KMCRC implements practical joint research projects between Korea and the Mekong countries and technological exchanges and acts as a research and technological cooperation platform that brings together the government, industry, academe, and research. KMCRC plans to hold the first Korea-Mekong International Water Forum in October.

Water Education and Consulting Projects

Nowadays, K-water is working with multilateral development banks to offer water education and consulting services to developing countries; thus helping address global water issues. Following its first water education consulting(WB) service to the Water Resource Research Center of the Ministry of Water and Environment of Uganda in 2020, K-water has been involved in the feasibility study(KEXIM) on the construction of the education and research center of Dakar Water Supply and Sewage Service of Bangladesh and construction of the water academy and water management competence enhancement project in Uzbekistan(WB) in 2022.

Support for Water Market Development

K-water helps companies explore overseas markets by offering support, i.e., establishing master plans, conducting a feasibility study, and performing other basic business steps systematically. K-water provides these kinds of support on behalf of the Ministry of Environment to help develop overseas water markets.