Malaysia Champions Global Dialogue on Science-Based, Integrated Water Management at ICWR 2025

Malaysia took centre stage at the 6th International Conference on Water Resources (ICWR 2025), held under the theme “Embracing Change for a Resilient Future in Water Resources.” The conference aligns closely with the UNESCO IHP-IX Strategic Framework (2022–2029), promoting scientific innovation, education, open data, integrated water management and science-based governance.

Gathering global experts, policymakers and stakeholders, ICWR 2025 was officially opened by Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. In his keynote address, he emphasised Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening water governance and building climate resilience through strategic policies and innovations.

Through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), the Malaysian Government is advancing key initiatives under the 13th Malaysia Plan. These include large-scale flood mitigation projects in high-risk river basins and urban centres, AI-driven flood forecasting and early warning systems, and the implementation of the Water Transformation Roadmap. This roadmap prioritises reducing non-revenue water, expanding water recycling, fostering innovation,and enhancing collaboration between federal, state and private sector stakeholders.

The conference also addressed Malaysia’s urgent water-related challenges—including frequent flooding, prolonged droughts, and river pollution. The recent severe flooding in Johor Bahru’s Skudai River Basin and the 2024 El Niño-induced drought have underscored the need for integrated and adaptive management approaches. As highlighted by the Deputy Minister, 27 of Malaysia’s 672 monitored rivers are currently classified as polluted due to industrial, agricultural, residential and livestock-related activities.

The ICWR 2025 opening ceremony was also attended by Dato’ Haji Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli, Secretary General of PETRA; Prof. Dr. Shamsul bin Sahibuddin, representing the UTM Kuala Lumpur campus; and Ir. Haji Mohd Azmin bin Hussin, Deputy Director General of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia.

Held from 23–25 September 2025, the conference was jointly organised by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), and the Humid Tropics Centre Kuala Lumpur (HTC KL), in collaboration with UNESCO-IHP Malaysia.

ICWR 2025 successfully strengthened international partnerships, expanded the body of scientific knowledge and inspired forward-looking strategies to benefit both Malaysia and the global community. These outcomes are closely aligned with the Malaysia MADANI vision, which underscores the sustainable management of natural resources for the nation’s long-term well-being.