PARIS: At a special consultative meeting prior to the launch of the three-day World Hydropower Congress in Paris on Tuesday, leaders came together to discuss and propose sustainable water and energy solutions as an integrated response to advance actions combating climate change (SDG13) by addressing water (SDG6) and energy (SDG7) challenges.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a shared blueprint for current and future peace and prosperity for people and the planet, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership.
The meeting was organised under the Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions Network established by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Itaipu Binacional and International Hydropower Association (IHA).
As a leading sustainable hydro power developer and renewable energy provider, Sarawak was invited to participate in the forum comprising about 50 high level hydro power specialists and leads, financial institutions, government officials and civil society representatives.
The meeting served as a platform for decision-makers and experts active in the energy, water and climate sectors to exchange perspectives on policy and business strategy and to guide future work and decisions.
Representing the Sarawak government at the meeting was Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi was also one of the discussion leaders at the meeting.
Abdul Hamed shared Sarawak’s journey of hydropower development and its spin-off benefits with the high-level audience including the reduction of carbon intensity of power generation in Sarawak which has recorded a reduction of 76.5 per cent since 2009.
During the same discussion, Dr Rundi highlighted the multiple roles of hydropower reservoirs as important catchment areas for flood mitigation, irrigation, navigation and agriculture purposes. Sarawak government is looking at tapping clean water from the reservoirs for consumption.
Sarawak’s generation mix is predominantly renewable hydropower, complemented by thermal energy for security and energy diversity. In developing its hydropower resources, Sarawak adopts international best practices in hydropower development and management as a platinum member and sustainability partner of IHA.
The group chief executive officer of Sarawak Energy Datuk Sharbini Suhaili is an elected member of the IHA board.
