Wedoany.com Report-Nov 21, The Singapore International Foundation (SIF), in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, announced its first project of the SEAPAW at the conference of the parties to the UN framework convention on climate change (COP29).

The pilot project comes 5 months after SEAPAW was set up. It aims to deliver sustainable, clean water access to rural communities in Sarawak, Malaysia, as part of its commitment to strengthening water resilience as a crucial approach to climate adaptation in South East Asia.

Launched in June 2024, SEAPAW aims to catalyse meaningful medium-to-long-term solutions by convening diverse stakeholder groups — knowledge partners, solution providers, financial institutions and philanthropies, as well as governments and policymakers — to collaboratively address urgent water challenges in the region.

Bringing clean water access to rural communities in East Malaysia

The ‘Clean water access for rural communities’ pilot project in Sarawak introduces a simple and cost-effective water purification system powered by a renewable energy source — such as hydrokinetic power or solar photovoltaic system — to support underserved regions, ensuring clean, reliable, and sustainable water access to communities in these regions.

If successful, the pilot project could be expanded to support Sarawak’s post COVID-19 development strategy 2030 goal of 100% full water supply coverage by 2030. SEAPAW’s role as a convening platform will facilitate connections and resources needed to advance and scale this project for broader impact.

SIF’s South East Asia Partnership for Adaptation through Water (SEAPAW) in Sarawak, Malaysia