Singapore International Foundation Announces First Project of Its Southeast Asia Partnership for Adaptation through Water (SEAPAW) in East Malaysia

The Clean Water Access for Rural Communities pilot project will provide clean water in rural Sarawak, with plans for scalable expansion across the state.

The Singapore International Foundation (SIF), in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, announced its first project of the Southeast Asia Partnership for Adaptation through Water (SEAPAW).

The pilot project comes just five months after SEAPAW was set up. It aims to deliver sustainable, clean water access to rural communities in Sarawak, Malaysia. This was announced at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The project reinforces SEAPAW’s commitment to strengthening water resilience as a crucial approach to climate adaptation in Southeast 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 policy makers – to collaboratively address urgent water challenges in the region.

Bringing Clean Water Access to Rural Communities in Sarawak
The Clean Water Access for Rural Communities pilot project in Sarawak will be led by SEAPAW members, the Singapore Water Association (SWA) and the Malaysian Water Association Sarawak Branch (MWAS). The project 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 Development Strategy 2030 goal of 100 per cent full water supply coverage in Sarawak by 2030.

SEAPAW’s role as a convening platform will facilitate connections and resources needed to advance and scale this project for broader impact.

We are developing a comprehensive framework for water resilience with the potential for broader implementation across Southeast Asia. Their dedication to this cause gives me confidence that we can achieve a water-secure future for our region.

Professor Khoo Teng Chye, Chairperson of SEAPAW

He added, “In line with the recommendations from the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, SEAPAW is committed to driving Southeast Asia-specific projects that address our region’s unique needs. Our goal is to turn these insights into practical, localised solutions that strengthen water security and resilience. At COP29, under the theme ‘In Solidarity for a Green World,’ SEAPAW reaffirms its dedication to unite diverse voices and expertise to address water-related climate risks. Together, we can advance meaningful change, building a more resilient and sustainable future for Southeast Asia and beyond.”

Charles Quek, Vice-President (General Affairs) of SWA said, “The SWA is honoured to collaborate with the MWAS and SEAPAW on this pilot project, which exemplifies the strength of cross-border partnerships to address critical regional issues. Our joint efforts in Sarawak mark an important step toward developing solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of rural communities through the collective and collaborative actions of the SWA and MWAS. By combining expertise from both Singapore and Malaysia, we are building a framework for sustainable water resilience that also has the potential to scale across Southeast Asia. This partnership underscores how practical, regionally informed solutions can create real impact, moving us closer to achieving lasting water security in diverse contexts across the region.”

Kelvin Kuek, Chairman of MWAS said, “Our partnership with the SWA and SEAPAW highlights the critical role of regional collaboration to address Southeast Asia’s water challenges. This pilot project in Sarawak is more than a means of improving water access. It is an essential step toward developing scalable, localised solutions that can be adapted to diverse communities. As the Sarawak Branch of the Malaysian Water Association, we are committed to fostering sustainable, long-term water resilience, and this initiative reflects that commitment. We look forward to the outcomes of this project and hope it will serve as a model for similar efforts across the region, ultimately contributing to greater water security and resilience for all.”

Expanding SEAPAW’s Impact through Climate Resilient Initiatives
Beyond the pilot project, SEAPAW will also advance three projects focused on addressing pressing climate challenges:

1. Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security and Farmer Livelihoods
This project aims to bolster regional food security by promoting sustainable practices in rice agriculture. By building climate resilience in rice cultivation through optimised irrigation and improved soil management, it seeks to equip farming communities with the tools to adapt to climate challenges, increase yields and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, by exploring pathways for carbon credit certification, the project aims to unlock new revenue opportunities to enhance economic stability and resilience for smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia’s agrifood sector.

2. Research on Coastal Resilience in Southeast Asia
This research project will address critical gaps in data on coastal resilience in the region. With low-lying topography and rapid urbanisation, Southeast Asian coastal cities are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. This research aims to map out these risks, assess the effects on water resources and identify gaps in knowledge, policy and infrastructure to propose actionable solutions.

3. Position Paper on Water Adaptation in Southeast Asia
In collaboration with the World Economic Forum, SEAPAW will develop a position paper on Southeast Asia Partnership on Adaptation through Water. The paper seeks to define and advocate for “Adaptation through Water” as a climate resilience framework. This study will cover water-related challenges such as flooding, drought and water pollution, outlining the market opportunities and benefits of sustainable water adaptation practices across Southeast Asia.

SEAPAW’s Growing Network
Since its launch, 20 global and regional organisations have joined SEAPAW as members and affiliates who are committed to advancing sustainable water solutions and climate resilience across Asia. These include industry and thought leaders across multiple sectors, such as the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change, Boston Consulting Group, Google Asia Pacific, Microsoft Operations, Mae Fah Luang Foundation, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, and Thrive Networks/East Meets West.

Through SEAPAW, members and affiliates can combine their expertise and resources to foster cross-sector collaboration and initiatives that address critical water sustainability challenges. Together, SEAPAW and its members are driving change for a more climate-resilient future in the region.

Organisations looking to explore partnership opportunities with SEAPAW, please contact seapaw@sif.org.sg or visit the SEAPAW webpage.

Photo caption:
From left: Corinna Chan, CEO, SIF; Professor Khoo Teng Chye, Chairperson, SEAPAW; Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, Patron of the SIF, Co-chair of the GCEW, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Board of Trustees; Janadas Devan, Chairman, SIF; Eric White, Head, Climate Adaptation, World Economic Forum; Dr Henk Ovink, Executive Director, Global Commission on the Economics of Water (Photo: SEAPAW)