By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 8: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, today ahead of his keynote address at the International Water Association (IWA) and World Development Congress and Exhibition (WDCE) 2025.
In a TVS news report, his arrival was greeted by the Minister of Political Affairs at the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok, Ahmad Hashim Mahmood, and later by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, at a hotel in the city.
Abang Johari is scheduled to deliver the congress’ main address at 9am local time tomorrow (Dec 9) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
His keynote, titled ‘Water: Driving Sarawak’s Resilient and Sustainable Future’, will outline Sarawak’s long-term strategy for sustainable water management and its aspirations in regional water security.
He is also expected to attend a briefing with the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications, followed by a dinner engagement later this evening.
On Wednesday (Dec 10), he will continue his official trip with a three-day working visit to Nanjing, China.
The Bangkok congress is part of Sarawak’s wider preparation for hosting the IWA’s World Water Congress and Exhibition in Kuching in 2028.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications, WDCE 2025 focuses on global water issues and development in low- and middle-income countries.
The event, which runs from Dec 8 to 12, carries the theme ‘Water, Sanitation and Innovation: Pathways to Progress and a Resilient Future’.
The ministry said the congress will bring together experts, utility operators and researchers to share knowledge, build collaboration and showcase solutions to water and sanitation challenges.
Accompanying Abang Johari are Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi and Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. — DayakDaily
