2011-09-01 22:46
Seoul conference discusses security of world’s water
By Nho Joon-hun Water is the origin of all living things and the foundation of civilization. Without safe water, there is no future. Therefore, securing safe water is the main concern for all people around the world. This has been the top priority of the Seoul metropolitan government and Seoul City is aiming to become one of the five cleanest and most attractive in the world, said Chung Deuk-mo, director of the Office of Waterworks of the Seoul metropolitan government. “Today, climate change has caused many natural disasters, including droughts and earthquakes around the world. In addition to these, pollution has been worsened by urbanization and industrialization,” he observed. “Especially, sources of safe water have been severely threatened by unprecedented environmental disasters, such as the recent radioactive water spill in Japan and contaminated ground water from the burial sites of foot-and-mouth disease,” Chung added. Considering this situation, the Seoul metropolitan government Thursday opened the Seoul International Symposium on Waterworks 2011 at the Grand Hall of the headquarters of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry to take the initiative on water issues at home and abroad and strengthen the competitiveness of the water supply service. On Thursday, major speakers included professor David Garmen of the University of Wisconsin and former president of the International Water Association; professor Shin Dong-chun of Yonsei University; Jack Schijven, senior advisor of the National Institute of Public Health and Environment of the Netherlands and professor Michael Blackhurst of the Carnegie Mellon University. On the final day, Friday, the main speakers will be professor Yasumodo Magara of Hokkaido University; professor Edward McBean of the University of Guelph of Canada; professor Hu Jiangyong of the National University of Singapore and professor Louis Lemkow of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. |
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