Copenhagen, 25 August 2023 - Ambassador Leo Herrera-Lim engaged in a productive meeting with the Philippine Water Delegation, led by Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas to discuss potential Philippine-Denmark partnership on sustainable and effective water management. The delegation was invited by the Confederation of Danish Industry, in partnership with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Trade Council, to study Danish water management and smart integrated water solutions.

Representatives from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), as well as stakeholders from the private sector, including Maynilad Water Services, Manila Water Company and Richli Water, were part of the delegation.

Ambassador Herrera-Lim conveyed that Denmark’s water management is a possible aspirational goal for the Philippines. He mentioned the potential of applying Danish water innovation and technologies in the Philippine context. He expressed the need for the Philippines to catch up with decades of underinvestment in public infrastructure and the necessity to formulate a comprehensive, multi-administration plan for effective water management.

He recommended that the delegation actively engage and dialogue with Danish firms specializing in innovative groundwater and wastewater treatment technologies. He also recommended the construction of cost efficient district cooling systems which can reduce power consumption up to 70 percent for government offices, and smart water pump technologies to prevent flooding in cities.