Participants of the World Toilet Summit 2009 can draw useful lessons from Singapore’s tremendous progress in its waste management infrastructure evolving from the bucket system 40 years ago, to the state-of-the-
In a congratulatory message for the World Toilet Summit & Expo 2009 (WTSE 2009), Mr Goh said: “In fact, we have gone beyond the provision of basic sanitation to the business of recycling used water, which is a solution that may appeal to cities with severe water shortage.”
WTSE 2009 is organised by the Singapore-based World Toilet Organization (WTO) and MP Asia, in partnership with Asian Development Bank (ADB), with support from local partner Restroom Association, Singapore. The three-day conference and trade exhibition will be held from 2 - 4 December 2009 at Suntec Singapore. WTSE will be opened by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Goh further points out in this message that more work needs to be done to raise standards of sanitation.
“Beyond the provision of infrastructure and public health facilities, there are areas where work needs to be done, such as changing people’s mindsets concerning design, maintenance and proper usage of toilets. In this regard, NGOs, such as the WTO, together with government, private sector and community stakeholders, can play an active role to help develop, educate and propagate sustainable sanitation solutions and standards.”
He observes too that today, 2.5 billion people around the world still do not have access to proper sanitation.
“I am glad that the WTO, a non-government organisation that started in and continues to operate from Singapore, has taken up the challenge to garner support and action for this critical but unglamorous area of life,” he says.
WTSE 2009 will focus on “Creating the Blueprint for a Sustainable Sanitation Marketplace”
The three-day summit will feature two keynote addresses: by Mr Arjun Thapan, Director-General, ADB Southeast Asia Department, Philippines, and Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman, Asia-Pacific Water Forum.
Highlights of the summit include:
- Water Sanitation Financing Facility, by Mr Jon Lane, Executive Director of Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC)
- Communication for sanitation development tracks, led by WSSCC
- Financing sanitation tracks, led by ADB.
Other topics to be covered include:
- Sanitation marketing
- Standards and policies
- School sanitation
- Financing sanitation, led by Asian Development Bank
- Social entrepreneurship:
- Real corporate citizenship:
Four workshops will cover Design and Technology for built environments and developing cities.
WTSE 2009 enjoys strong support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Singapore Institute of Architects, and Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau. The event has also received support from other international and regional stakeholders including EcoSanRes Programme, International Code Council, Stockholm Environment Institute, Sustainable Sanitation Alliance, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific and Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council.
Accompanying the summit will be a showcase of toilet and sanitation design and technologies from all over the globe. It will feature portable toilet solutions, green and sustainable toilet technologies. The World Toilet Expo is also co-located with Pulire Asia Cleaning Solutions Expo, a cleaning technology exhibition, offering visitors a comprehensive two-in-one showcase in one platform.
WTO was founded in Singapore by Mr Jack Sim in 2001. He also launched the World Toilet Summit. To date, eight World Toilet Summits have been held in nine cities in Europe and Asia. The last event was held in Macau and was attended by more than 1,000 participants.
More information is available at www.worldtoiletevents.com.
Note to Editors: Photos are available on request.
