Next week will see the launch of FIDIC's latest State of the World report, Establishing the value of water - the business case for change. Global infrastructure and construction professionals are encouraged to register for an online launch event taking place on Thursday 1 April 2021.
The first report, Time to $Tn-vest, launched in February, highlighted the trillion-dollar investment challenge facing the global infrastructure sector. This second report in the series, Establishing the value of water - the business case for change will explore and address the world's current and future water challenges, the financial and social value that needs to be placed on water and discuss the business case for action. The report will build on the themes in the first Time to $Tn-vest report and also the previous 2015 State of the World report on water challenges and will provide a foundation for the third report in the series, which will explore innovative solutions which are currently adopted or should be considered in addressing water challenges.
FIDIC president William Howard commented: "FIDIC and the infrastructure sector more widely needs to communicate more clearly the importance of all elements of water in our daily lives and if the investment required is to take place, the economic and social value may need to adjust. It should not be underestimated that the challenge of providing universal services in the water sector is not a small one and it will require government decision-makers and the public sector to invest more in solutions and for the private sector also to step up and invest to play its role."
Written industry contributions included in this report were provided by FIDIC Future Leaders council member and lead engineer – developments at Bosch Projects, Jeshika Ramchund, FIDIC sustainable development committee member and Cardno general manager for water and environment Natalie Muir and Peter Guthrie, professor of engineering for sustainable development at the University of Cambridge. All three will be speaking at the launch webinar and their insights on the challenges facing the construction and infrastructure sector should be well worth listening to.
FIDIC’s latest State of the World report will say that the magnitude and importance of the current and future water crises is extensive and highlights the essential and practical solutions that can be adopted to ensure the world meets its current and future water needs.
Find out more about the current water challenge and join the discussion on how to address it by registering to attend the launch of FIDIC's second State of the World report, Establishing the value of water - the business case for change.
- FIDIC would like to thank the following contributors for their assistance in the development of this report:
- William Howard, President, FIDIC.
- Peter Macy, President, Rockblue.
- April GU, Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University.
- Miguel Mondria, Director General Técnico, Grupo TYPSA.
- Jeshika Ramchund, Bosch Projects.
- Adam Bialachowski, Chair, FIDIC Future Leaders Council and Vintage Consulting.
- Tracey Ryan, Managing Director, Aurecon.
- Jose Juarez Cornelio, Mexico FOA Consultores.
- Stéphanie Groen, Director, Coastal and Climate Change Asia, Aurecon.
- Professor Damian Helbling, Associate Professor, Cornell University.
- Peter Guthrie, Professor, Cambridge University.
- Cosmin Tobolcea, General Manager, Pro Toby.
- Michele Kruger, Advisor to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation at Department of Water and Sanitation.