By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

K-water has decided to expand global cooperation to jointly respond to the climate crisis and expand water industry exports.

Related to this, K-water CEO Yun Seog-dae visited Kyrgyzstan to meet with high-level government officials, sign business agreements and discuss ways to expand cooperation in the water sector in April.

Kyrgyzstan is a key partner country of Korea. Kyrgyzstan and South Korea have been cooperating mainly in the fields of environment and health and hygiene.

As the lead agency for the Ministry of Environment's International Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project, K-water CEO visited Kyrgyzstan to expand cooperation in the water sector and climate crisis response in addition to existing cooperation.

CEO Yoon signed a business agreement with Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Minister of Energy to expand international greenhouse gas reduction projects, link ODA projects, and joint efforts to transfer emission rights to the country.

On April 19, K-water also signed a business agreement with OJSC Chakan-GES, a hydropower public corporation under the Ministry of Energy, for cooperation in hydropower operation and management, utilizing our expertise in hydropower through the operation of multipurpose dams. This will support the modernization of hydropower in Kyrgyzstan.

He also met with Kyrgyzstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Adylbek Aleshovich Kasymaliev to discuss active cooperation, including expanding the adoption of digital water management technology to solve local water problems.

The First Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan pledged active support for renewable energy projects, including the development of small hydropower, and requested the establishment of a national water master plan.

K-water plans to support the establishment of the master plan by utilizing its advanced water management technology along with close cooperation in renewable energy projects to reduce carbon emissions.

“K-water's super-gap technologies, such as water management digital twins and AI (artificial intelligence) water purification plants, are recognized for their competitiveness in the world,” said CEO Yoon. “Based on this cooperation, we will expand our role in solving global water issues and actively support domestic water companies to expand overseas.”

K-water is the chair of the Asia Water Council and is working to solve global water issues and respond to the climate crisis.

It has been cooperating with Kyrgyzstan since last year, including establishing a plan to develop small hydropower on the Chu River.