The 7th and last Sustainability Committee Meeting of this year will focus on ways that businesses may support SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

The Sustainable Development Goals 2022 Report notes that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, efforts and advancements must be tripled in order to fulfill the 2030 objective for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Despite enormous efforts in the Philippines to increase access to sanitary facilities and clean water, rural and urban areas still lack complete facilities. In some areas of the Philippines, water supplies are intermittent which leads to water shortage, and supplies are frequently cut off to maintain capacity. While 5 million Filipinos rely on unsafe and unsustainable water sources, more than 9 million people lack access and do not practice adequate sanitation. Such water insufficiency and intermittent supplies brought serious impacts on health and the environment.

We have invited Mr. Antti Inkinen, Regional Director Asia & Pacific at NIRAS International Consulting and Mr. John Emmanuel B. Martinez, AVP & Head of Sustainability Department, Maynilad Water Services to speak.

Mr. Antti will speak about NIRAS' global water sector operations specifically in areas of water supply, water resources management, and wastewater. He will also provide a glimpse of the company's ongoing water sector projects and future initiatives.

Engr. Emman will talk about their new project entitled Paranaque New Water which uses treated effluent as water source. This initiative is to expand the selection of alternate raw water sources that will augment to increase supplies in times of shortage.

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session. Afterwards, there will be 1 hour brainstorming session for participants to share their experiences and challenges with water management and sanitation.

Does your company advocate for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation? Do you want to ensure water usage, management, and efficiency? Then come join us in person at Spaces, World Plaza in BGC on November 23 from 3:30-6:00 PM, to obtain concrete ideas for how you can promote regulations and best practices for the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation, with presentations from NIRAS International Consulting and Maynilad Water.

The list of attending participants will be shared with other participants to facilitate easy ongoing knowledge sharing. We usually have between 20-30 attendees representing large companies, e.g., IKEA, AstraZeneca, Globe, Converge, SN Aboitiz Power, Arla Foods, etc.

The Committee is intended for business partners of NordCham, but guests are also accepted. Interested guests are welcome to contact Executive Director, Jesper Svenningsen at js@nordcham.com.ph.

Questions regarding the event may be directed to Knaebel Munda, knaebel.munda@nordcham.com.ph.