Due to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine has been profoundly affected across all aspects of life. In the face of food crisis, water shortage, and widespread infrastructure damage, the need for reconstruction was dire. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, K-water stepped up as a key partner in the recovery efforts.
In a pivotal move towards supporting Ukraine's reconstruction efforts, K-water CEO Yun Seogdae actively participated in the "URC 2024" conference held in Berlin, Germany from June 11 to 12. During this gathering, CEO Yun engaged in substantive discussions with Ukrainian government officials to solidify cooperation plans for reconstruction endeavors. Additionally, he conferred with representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to explore potential financing mechanisms for these initiatives. This year's meeting came to fruition upon the direct invitation of CEO Yun by the Ukrainian government, which has maintained close reconstruction cooperation with K-water since July last year.
During the meeting, the two parties shared the achievements of their cooperation based on the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on Urban Reconstruction and Water Infrastructure Improvement with the Ukrainian government. In particular, as part of its post-war reconstruction initiatives, K-water has conceptualized the development of industrial complexes in two crucial areas: Horodok in Lviv Oblast, a cornerstone of reconstruction endeavors, and Bucha, a satellite city of the capital Kyiv. Along the Polish border lies the town of Horodok, poised to become a crucial logistics hub for national reconstruction. Inspired by Korea's smart green city model, this strategic location will be transformed into an eco-conscious urban center. Additionally, in the transportation hub of Bucha where major highways, expressways, and railways intersect, an industrial complex 12 times the size of Yeouido Island is slated for development, forging a vital link to Europe. Likewise, the parties discussed expanding the emergency water supply project in Truskavets, Ukraine to a comprehensive "Aging Water Infrastructure Modernization Project." They also delved into the specific details of introducing a water quality monitoring system to facilitate collaboration in integrated water management.
Moreover, K-water is committed to providing immediate humanitarian assistance even if the war is far from over. K-water is also set to install Korean-style decentralized water purification facilities in the western Ukrainian city of Truskavets, which is grappling with a water crisis due to the war, aiming to supply 100 tons of clean drinking water daily. This remarkable project has the potential to provide clean drinking water for up to 14,000 people per day. With equipment manufacturing scheduled for completion in Korea by September, the goal is to have the system installed and operational in Ukraine by the end of the year, providing a lifeline of drinking water to those in need.
This collaboration is expected to serve as a pivotal step towards restoring peace and prosperity in Ukraine while simultaneously presenting an opportunity for K-water to solidify its global leadership position in the water sector. K-water announced its commitment to playing a pivotal role in the nation's strategic diplomatic resources.