The biennial event comprised flagship programmes including the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize (LKYWP), Water Leaders Summit, Utilities CEO Roundtable, Water Convention, Water Expo, Coastal and Flood Resilience Leaders Summit and Coastal and Flood Resilience Cities Roundtable. LKYWP, named after the late first Prime Minister of Singapore, recognises exceptional contributions towards solving global water challenges. Meanwhile, the Roundtable exclusively welcomes CEOs and senior leaders from water utilities, agencies, and cities to engage in candid dialogue and build partnerships for addressing shared challenges.

SIWW also includes thematic and business forums, as well as technical visits. These programmes bring together a diverse range of stakeholders to exchange best practices, exhibit state-of-the-art technologies, and explore business opportunities in the world of water conservation and sustainability. As a trusted global-Asia node with a vibrant business community, Singapore is uniquely positioned to host such international events, facilitating meaningful business matchings, knowledge exchange, and collaborations for positive long-term impact.

“SIWW2022 is proud to have returned as Asia’s first large-scale water show since the pandemic, bringing together the world’s brightest minds to conduct meaningful conversations and developments to galvanise the international water community into accelerating climate mitigation and adaptation efforts,” said Ryan Yuen, Managing Director of Singapore International Water Week. “The active participation of international businesses at the Water Expo further underscores the importance of SIWW as a platform for the co-creation of innovative and scalable solutions for urban water challenges.”

Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, officiated SIWW 2022 as the guest-of-honour. She highlighted the importance of global collaboration and innovation in addressing climate change in her opening address, emphasising Singapore's commitment to climate action and sustainability through the Singapore Green Plan. At SIWW’s Water Expo, Ms Fu officiated the launch of the RSK Centre for Sustainability, which will consolidate the services of 130 environment businesses to deliver practical solutions and meet the region’s growing demand for sustainability services.

SIWW 2022 also saw the opening of the Jurong Island Desalination Plant, marking a crucial advancement in Singapore's journey towards water sustainability and enhanced water security. In addition, numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were inked, including signings between the Singapore Water Association (SWA) and various public and private organisations to foster partnerships and facilitate a deeper exchange of knowledge within the water industry. One of the most notable MOU signings was between ZWEEC Analytics, IONI Water, and partners from China and India. Totalling about S$75 million, the agreement aimed to provide access to safe drinking water and water ecological environment monitoring in the Yangtze River Basin.

As a meeting place for key stakeholders and water industry professionals, SIWW 2022 also facilitated discussions on business opportunities worth approximately S$45 billion. Their focus areas included waste management, cleaning robotics, and climate risk mitigation, highlighting the potential for lucrative ventures and strategic collaborations in these critical sectors.

Another highlight of SIWW 2022 was the presentation of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, with Professor Kazuo Yamamoto honored as the 2020 recipient. He was recognised for his groundbreaking invention of the submerged Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology in 1988, which helped raise the efficiency of NEWater production in Singapore. By joining this esteemed group of laureates, Professor Yamamoto's work is celebrated alongside other innovative water solutions that have benefitted the lives of millions. This distinction underscores the Prize's role as a vital collaborative platform, promoting the exchange of effective solutions and best practices to tackle urban water challenges worldwide.

The resounding message from leaders at SIWW was crystal clear: urgent and collective action is imperative to address the challenges posed by climate change. Events like SIWW play a crucial role in uniting the industry, fostering knowledge exchange, and expediting efforts towards accomplishing sustainability goals.

Singapore's strategic role as a gateway to Asia, coupled with its leadership position in water technology, sustainable urban planning, and water management, exemplifies its unique capacity to connect global talents and thought leaders. This synergy drives meaningful, impact-focused solutions for the international water sector, showcasing Singapore's critical contribution to advancing global water sustainability.

SIWW will return for its 10th edition on 18 to 22 June 2024 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, alongside CleanEnviro Summit Singapore. It will feature key themes such as climate mitigation, water sustainability, net zero and decarbonisation, resource circularity, digitalisation, and a new pillar on climate adaptation across the SIWW flagship programmes.