Over 200 executives are expected to attend the Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership's (MD-AEP) public-private forum entitled, "A Public-Private Dialogue: Galvanizing Maryland Resources to Meet Asia's Water Management and Technology Needs" on October 23 at the Center Club in Baltimore, Maryland.
Many Asian countries are grappling with massive water problems impacted by water scarcity, drought, polluted rivers, floods and global warming. “The momentum we are building for this event is drawing top public and private experts together and will lay the foundation for follow on engagement in Asia,” said Peter Gourlay, President of the Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership (MD-AEP). Attendees will hear from a diverse group of experts from the World Bank, U.S. Trade Development Agency, XPV Capital, Bay Bio, WaterVap, LLC, Coca Cola Enterprises, Phillips Foods, Northrop Grumman, Maryland’s Departments of Environment and Agriculture and the University of Maryland’s Center for Marine Biotechnology and its Center for Integrative Environmental Research.

Panels will discuss their unique perspectives on applicable lessons-learned in water management; new technologies and financial resources, and sustainability efforts which could be mobilized to help address Asia's water management and technology needs.
“By connecting the silos of expertise from university research labs, state, national and multilateral government agencies and the business supply chain, we feel that we can provide holistic solutions to help Asia address its water management and technology needs,” said Gourlay.
Mr. Khoo Teng Chye, Chief Executive of PUB, Singapore's national water agency, will be the luncheon keynote speaker. Singapore has emerged as a shining example of sustainable water management. PUB has overcome its water challenges to turn vulnerability into a strategic asset for the country. By investing in water technologies and R&D, Singapore has put in place a diversified and sustainable water supply system known as the Four National Taps comprising water from local catchment, imported water, reclaimed water (branded NEWater in Singapore) and desalinated water.

Such models are increasingly important as parts of Asia and the Middle East are on the brink of environmental catastrophe. Based on current trends, United Nations experts predict that Asian developing countries are likely to face a crisis on water quality management that is unprecedented in human history. "The timing of this forum is very important as parts of Asia and the Middle East are at a crisis point," said Peter Gourlay, President of the Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership (MD-AEP).