Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) proudly hosted the World Water Day 2024 celebration under the theme “Water for Peace.” The event, jointly organized by the Water Engineering and Management (WEM) Program and the Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC), aimed to foster dialogue, inspire action, and promote sustainable water management practices.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology and Co-Director, Global Water & Sanitation Center, AIT, expressed gratitude to esteemed guests and emphasized the significance of water as a crucial element in fostering peace and cooperation across borders and communities. Highlighting the presence of Dr. Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat, Prof. Shrestha underscored the importance of regional cooperation in managing and protecting water resources.

Following Prof. Shrestha’s remarks, Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, AIT President, officially opened the celebration and emphasized the importance of freshwater resources in promoting sustainable practices and addressing pressing challenges. Prof. Yamamoto highlighted AIT’s longstanding commitment to sustainable development in Asia and beyond, particularly in the field of water management, through education, research, and outreach initiatives.

Dr. Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat, delivered a compelling keynote speech at the World Water Day 2024 celebration at AIT, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in managing the Mekong River.

In his address titled “From Contestations to Cooperation,” Dr. Kittikhoun underscored the historical significance of the Mekong River and its global importance. In his keynote speech at the World Water Day 2024 celebration, Dr. Anoulak Kittikhoun emphasized the need for proactive planning and coordinated efforts to ensure the sustainability of the Mekong River. He called for a shift from reactive to proactive planning and stressed the importance of information sharing and trust-building among Mekong countries. Dr. Kittikhoun proposed the establishment of sister river partnerships and joint infrastructure projects as mechanisms to foster friendship, build trust, and create a shared future for the region. His speech provided valuable insights and recommendations for advancing cooperation and sustainable management of the Mekong River.

World Water Day 2024 witnessed insightful virtual messages from prominent figures in the water sector, each bringing their expertise to the forefront. Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, Deputy Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, emphasized the need for inclusive water management, calling for resilience-building infrastructure and sustainable technologies to address the water crisis. Dr. Linda Anne Stevenson, Program Director at the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research Japan, underscored the practical challenges of water security in the Asia-Pacific region, promoting regional scientific research and capacity building to enhance water security.

Dr. Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy, CEO of the International Water Association, stressed the importance of prioritizing water cooperation at all levels to ensure a secure and prosperous future. Mr. Niall O’Connor, representing the Stockholm Environment Institute, highlighted the significance of trans-boundary water systems and equitable resource use, advocating for evidence-based policies and collaborations to ensure sustainable water management. Prof. Edel Guenther, Director of the UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources in Germany, emphasized the interconnectedness of water with migration, food security, and peace, urging action to address these critical challenges.

During the World Water Day 2024 celebration, participants showcased their creativity and insights through both monologues and photos, shedding light on the theme “Water for Peace.” In the photo competition, Marylene S. Eder secured the first place with their captivating image titled “Simple Pump, Big Smiles,” capturing the essence of joy and community around water access. Tungish Uprety claimed the second place with “Water’s Promise: Sustaining Livelihoods, Fostering Peace,” highlighting the role of water in sustaining livelihoods and fostering peace. Rabina Twayana secured the third place with “Ancient Pond Reflecting Communities’ Peace and Harmony,” emphasizing the tranquil reflection of community unity in water bodies.

In the monologue competition for AIT International School, Maiah Francheska Soriano Gonzales clinched the first prize. Neil Jansen Pilongo secured the second prize, while Similan Neo Laungararm claimed the third prize.

Among the AIT community, Hoang Minh “Thomas” Nguyen emerged as the winner of the monologue competition, delivering a thought-provoking piece titled “Empathy and Appreciation for Sustainable Water Research,” which underscored the importance of empathy in water-related endeavors. Renz Prudenciado secured the second prize with “Water and the Tale of Life,” weaving a captivating narrative on the interconnectedness of water and existence. Rahul Kasaudhan claimed the third prize with “Water: A Catalyst for Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development,” advocating for water’s pivotal role in promoting peace and sustainable development.

In the closing remarks, Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Management and Co-Director of the Global Water & Sanitation Center at AIT, reflected on the importance of water for peace, emphasizing the need for good water quality to achieve true harmony. He stressed that World Water Day is not just a one-day event but a continuous endeavor to ensure water accessibility and protect it from contaminants. Despite current challenges, he expressed optimism that ensuring sufficient and clean water for all can pave the way for peace in the future.

Dr. Mohana Sundaram Shanmugam, Program Chair and Assistant Professor of Water Engineering and Management at AIT, summarized the key messages from the event:

  • Ensuring inclusive water management through building resilient infrastructure and investing in sustainable technologies is necessary.
  • Practical solutions to enhance water security through policy relevant actions, promoting sustainable development actions and adaptation measures are necessary.

He then shared a Tamil saying from Thirukkural: “துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பாய துப்பாக்கித் துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பாய தூஉம் மழை” (Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thuppaakkith Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thooum Mazhai). The meaning of this saying is “rain makes good food and is itself food.”, emphasizing the significance of rain as a source of nourishment, dating back to 2000 years ago. Dr. Mohana expressed gratitude to all speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Anoulak, as well as participants in the photo and monologue competitions, acknowledging their valuable contributions. He extended thanks to the organizing committee, WEM and GWSC team for their dedicated efforts in making the event a success despite the short timeframe for planning.