December 9, 2019, Hangzhou, China – On December 7th, upon the opening ceremony of the West Lake International Water Conference, the International Desalination and Reuse Association signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Chinese Society of Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse.
Ms. Shannon McCarthy, IDRA Secretary General and Mr. Genjiang Zheng, Chairman of the Chinese Society of Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse, developed the strategic cooperation agreement as a first step in creating new pathways for technical exchange and business development between Chinese and international stakeholders in the desalination and water reuse community. This agreement specifies that the IDRA will draw on the expertise of its membership to enhance the foreign contribution and participation in future West Lake International Water Conferences and programs.
As a first action, the IDRA will organize a special program for the December 2020 West Lake conference to address issues such as treatment of high salinity brine and water recovery. This program will involve international experts from the water reuse industry, nominated by the IDRA, to share their insights with conference participants.
“We believe the cooperation between the two parties is very conducive to promote the development of the global water market and I wish both parties a successful cooperation,” said Mr. Zheng.
“China has implemented significant capacity in wastewater treatment and desalination over the last ten years. Through this strategic partnership the IDRA will offer new knowledge sharing and business development opportunities for Chinese and international experts in desalination and water reuse,” said Ms. McCarthy. “We are very thankful to our Chinese Board members Mr. LI Youqing, and Dr. RUAN Gouling for their generous support in helping the IDRA to build this collaboration.”
About West Lake International Water Conference
Celebrating its 7th annual conference, the West Lake organizing committee includes representatives from the Chinese Society of Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse, the Membrane Industry Association of China (IDRA Regional Affiliate), and private and public sector experts from leading Chinese research & development agencies and universities. The conference takes place each year in early December in Hangzhou, China, attracting over 450 public sector, industry, and academic participants from the Chinese desalination and water reuse community to discuss innovation, trends in R&D, and national and international projects and market growth.
About IDRA
The International Desalination and Reuse Association (www.idadesal.org) is the point of connection for the global desalination and water reuse community. A non-profit association, IDRA serves more than 2,600 core members in 60 countries and reaches an additional 4,000 affiliate members. Its membership comprises scientists, end-users, engineers, consultants and researchers from governments, corporations and academia. IDRA is associated with the United Nations as part of a growing international network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
About IDRA SWRF
IDRA’s Sustainable Water Resources Foundation (SWRF) (www.idaswrf.org) promotes creative solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. With a continuously growing population, innovative water strategies must rise to meet the increasing demand for clean water. SWRF promotes this innovation by advocating clean energy solutions, fostering collaboration among professionals, and supporting educational programs and projects concerning the nexus of water, energy, food, and the environment.