By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 27: The International Water Association (IWA) has invited Sarawakian representatives to be directly involved in the organisation of the World Water Congress and Exhibition (WWCE) 2026 in Glasgow, providing valuable exposure ahead of Sarawak’s turn to host the global event in Kuching in 2028.
Sarawak took another significant step forward in its preparations when a delegation led by Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, held an engagement session with the WWCE 2026 Organising Committee immediately after the official closing of the Water Horizon 2025 Conference in London on Friday (Sept 26).
According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, the strategic meeting focused on sharing experiences, planning strategies, logistical requirements, and technical management for the congress, a world-class platform on water resources and sustainability spearheaded by the IWA.
Julaihi said the session allowed Sarawak to gain deeper insights into the intricacies of hosting such a prestigious event, enabling meticulous planning for 2028.
“We took this opportunity to have in-depth discussions with the committee that is currently in the preparation phase of WWCE 2026 in Glasgow. Through this session, we gained a very useful initial insight in terms of strategy, logistical requirements, and possible challenges,” he said when interviewed after the meeting.
He stressed that early exposure is vital to ensure Sarawak is fully prepared not only as host, but also as a major contributor to global goals in water resource management and sustainable development.
Julaihi further explained that IWA’s invitation for Malaysian, particularly Sarawakian, representatives to participate directly in WWCE 2026 will serve as practical training that goes beyond theory.
“It is an important form of exposure. We are not only learning theoretically, but through direct participation we can understand the procedures, protocols, and how to deal with real challenges that may arise,” he said.
During the discussion, the Sarawak delegation also highlighted the State’s logistical strengths, including infrastructure, facilities, transportation systems, and skilled manpower, positioning the region as fully capable of supporting global-scale events. — DayakDaily
