The IAPMO Group’s international work to ensure safer, more reliable water and sanitation systems was recognized Thursday during the U.S. Department of State’s World Water Day 2018 Forum: Increasing U.S. Private Sector Participation to Achieve Global Water Security.
The morning forum at Washington, D.C.’s Harry S. Truman Building, State Department headquarters, explored how the U.S. government can support increased participation of the American private sector in deploying more sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing problem — water scarcity.
During her remarks, Judith Garber, principal deputy assistant secretary at the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, highlighted The IAPMO Group’s recent endeavors working with USAID and the U.S. Department of Commerce to develop an enforceable regulatory framework, government-recognized personnel certifications, and trade-related measures to help sustainably grow the water and sanitation industry in Indonesia. Total annualized U.S. exports to Indonesia in this sector have increased by 85 percent over the pre-project period while providing the people of Indonesia with vastly improved drinking water and sanitation systems and a growing industry to support them.
“Today, IAPMO is pleased to gather with officials from the Departments of State, Commerce and USAID, along with entities from the private sector, to spotlight the vital role industry plays in addressing water security issues globally,” said Christopher Lindsay, IAPMO director of Government Relations, who along with Senior Vice President of Government Relations Dain Hansen represented IAPMO at the forum. “The water and sanitation challenges we see across the world are immense. U.S. industry can and should be an important partner in delivering the solutions. These partnerships bear fruit as IAPMO has seen through our work in Indonesia, where U.S. exports of products have increased dramatically.”
Celebrated on March 22 each year, World Water Day this year marks its 25th anniversary with the theme “Nature for Water,” encouraging people to look for the answer in nature. Around 1.8 billion people worldwide are affected by land degradation and desertification, with at least 65 percent of forested land in a degraded state. Further, 1.9 billion people live in potentially severely water-scarce areas; by 2050, this could increase to around 3 billion.
Join IAPMO and many others around the globe today as we celebrate World Water Day. What is life without water? www.worldwaterday.org
Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, IAPMO has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. With offices in 12 U.S. states and 13 countries, IAPMO has assisted with code development all over the world, and provisions from its Uniform Plumbing Code® protect populations across the globe. For more information, visit www.iapmo.org.
Last modified: March 22, 2018