-to accelerate change in water, wastewater sectors

THE 32nd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition is all set to take place at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, in Georgetown from October 24th to 26th, 2023.

This is said to be the second time that the conference and exhibition will be held in Guyana. The theme for this year’s conference is “Accelerating Change in the Water, Wastewater and Waste Sectors”

During the launch on Friday at the Marriott Hotel, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, stated that the government was honoured to have the event hosted in Guyana.

According to the Minister, it is an opportunity to find solutions that are sustainable, physically achievable that can be replicated on any scale while also strengthening capacities and forging new partnerships.

He added that it also serves as an opportunity for participants to be aware of the innovations within the sector that can facilitate the achievement of the goals.
“Guyana is as you know, on a rapid development trajectory. We are open for business, and we welcome your investments,” the Minister said.

The Housing Minister said that with close to 100 booths, over 300 delegates, 80 presenters and three high-level forums for Caribbean Ministers, this year’s conference will be like nothing seen before.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, said that he was confident that the outcome of the conference will serve as a blueprint for Governments, industries and individuals alike.

He urged for them to work together to engage in constructive dialogues, share best practices and foster meaningful partnerships.

“Let our collective efforts become the catalyst for the Caribbean Transformation in Waste Management one that reflects our commitment to safeguarding our environment and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come,” Minister Persaud said.

Adding to this, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ramesh Dookhoo, said that GWI was pleased that the CWWA had chosen Guyana as the host country for the event once again.

As such, he appealed to local companies to exhibit at the conference and to showcase their local talents in engineering, the production of bottled water and the production of any product that uses water.

“This is your opportunity to do business and expand beyond these shores, because of the international character of this event,” he said.

Dookhoo lamented that the staff of GWI who had attended such conferences in previous years had not adapted technologies on display and implemented them.

According to the President of the CWWA, Lieutenant Colonel Marlon Daniels, the organisation was started in 1991, by a small group of water and wastewater professionals from various countries around the Caribbean.

“Over 30 years later, the CWWA has grown into the largest regional grouping of water and wastewater and solid waste practitioners,” Daniels said.

At present, there are over 400 members in the organisation, from a number of Caribbean countries.

The exhibition promises to bring together hundreds of participants from the Caribbean, Latin America, North America and Europe and serves as an opportunity for participants to exchange information and experiences and gain exposure to cutting-edge technology, products and services in a very dynamic environment.