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0123rd Asia Water Council (AWC) Board Meeting Held: Leading Asian Water Cooperation with AI Water Management
The 23rd Asia Water Council (AWC) meeting was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on November 5. Established in 2016 by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and K-water, AWC is the largest water cooperation body in Asia with 176 member organizations from 26 countries at present.
The meeting was hosted by K-water as the chair organization, with high-level officials in attendance including the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, President of the Water Environment Association, Director of the Northern Water Resources Center, President of Kazakhstan’s Water Resources Corporation, and Director-General of Thailand’s National Water Resources Office. To address the climate crises and water challenges faced by countries across Asia, the meeting focused on sharing Korea’s super-gap water management technologies—such as digital twin water management, AI-enabled water treatment plants, and smart water network management (SWNM)—and discussing ways to expand cooperation.
In conjunction with the board meeting, a corporate technology expo featured 15 domestic water tech innovative companies; thus creating a bridge for the global expansion of Korea’s water industry. K-water facilitated one-on-one business consultations between participating companies, government delegations, and local enterprises, promoting technology exchange and export cooperation. This is expected to strengthen AWC’s role as a multilateral cooperation platform connecting industry, diplomacy, and technology. -
02K-water Presents Mid- to Long-Term Strategic Management Plan (2026–2030) at the Company-Wide Management Meeting
K-water held a company-wide management meeting on November 17 with approximately 160 employees in attendance including executives and heads of regional offices nationwide, unveiling its mid- to long-term strategic management plan (2026–2030).
The new plan, which focused on creating new growth engines for Korea through a future-oriented water management strategy, aligns with the government’s national agenda. The water resources and environment sector aims to strengthen climate safety nets for citizens and nature; the water service sector will expand hi-tech water services, and the energy and urban sectors will promote renewable energy and green city development. The global water and water industry sector will focus on promoting K-water management model exports and fostering climate tech, with functional strategies to pursue world-class ESG innovation management.
Specifically, by 2030, major national water facilities such as dams and water treatment plants will transition to a fully autonomous AI operation system covering the entire “prediction–inference–verification–decision” process. Additionally, a smart water quality management system offering the integrated management of algae, pollutants, and water quality changes will be implemented to strengthen the climate safety net for citizens. In the energy sector, the goal is to develop approximately 10GW of water energy by 2030. K-water will ensure a stable supply of industrial water and ultrapure water to advanced industrial complexes and semiconductor clusters, and strengthen the growth of climate tech ecosystems including fostering unicorn companies in the water industry.
The financial plan to support the execution of the strategic plan was disclosed as well. Approximately KRW 20 trillion will be invested in AI, energy, and other future core businesses over the next five years while strengthening risk management to secure financial soundness, ensuring both scale and sustainability of global water enterprises. -
03Korea International Water Week 2025
The Korea International Water Week (KIWW)—the country’s largest international water cooperation event—took place at Daegu EXCO on November 12. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, KIWW was co-hosted by K-water, Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, Daegu Metropolitan City, and Korea Environment Corporation. Themed “Smart Innovation: Opening the Future of Water Together,” KIWW was participated in by over 60 countries including experts from Kazakhstan’s Water and Irrigation Ministry, Kenya’s Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Ministry, and the American Water Works Association.
K-water operated the “K-water Pavilion,” showcasing future water management technologies and global water solutions. The organization also promoted AI- and data-based smart water management ecosystems while engaging in international water cooperation to enhance global water security, solidifying its status as a world leader in water management. -
04AI Water Treatment Plant Receives World’s First OECD Global Quality Certification in the Water Sector
K-water’s AI water treatment plant became the first in the world to receive the OECD’s global infrastructure quality certification “BDN” in the water sector. The BDN certification administered by the OECD is a global quality assurance system awarded to infrastructure meeting international standards for sustainability, economic feasibility, environmental and social responsibility, and transparent governance.
This certification signifies both the investment competitiveness and international credibility of Korea’s water management technology as the AI water treatment plant fully meets international standards. The AI water treatment plant—a representative achievement of the “Smart Water Management Project”—is the world’s first “smart factory-type water treatment plant” wherein AI autonomously learns and operates the entire water treatment process. K-water plans to accelerate the overseas expansion of AI water management technologies using this certification as a milestone. -
052025 Daejeon Regional Innovation & Climate Tech Forum
K-water held the "2025 Daejeon Regional Innovation & Climate Tech Forum" on November 17. Themed “Climate Tech Development for Sustainable Regional Industry and R&D,” the forum sought to discuss strategies and practical measures to foster Daejeon as a hub for the climate tech industry.
The forum opened with a keynote address by K-water CEO Seogdae Yun and included expert presentations on water-sector climate tech innovation and commercialization, innovative technology and talent development in climate tech, and carbon reduction strategies for regional industries and urban systems. K-water presented approaches emphasizing the interconnection of water, energy, and carbon, sharing strategies for sustainable urban water circulation systems. With climate tech emerging as a new growth driver for regional industries, K-water is expected to lead the creation of a sustainable growth ecosystem. -
06Regional Growth Crowdfunding Project Launched
K-water is promoting the "Regional Growth Crowdfunding Project" in collaboration with private platform Wadiz to strengthen market competitiveness for local small businesses and youth startups. This initiative is part of "RootIt," K-water’s newly launched regional value creation project aimed at expanding market access for local enterprises and enhancing the self-sustainability of the local economy.
Participating enterprises include eco-friendly food brands using local agricultural products, local foods produced by young farmers, and products with proprietary patents. K-water provides comprehensive support including promotion and marketing. The project is designed so that participating citizens act as both customers and supporters, creating a participatory regional economic model that promotes the growth of local brands and repurchases.