Organized by the Hebei Provincial Water Society, the Expo received support from partner organizations, including the China Water Society, the Science and Technology Promotion Center of the Ministry of Water Resources, the Global Water Partnerships China (GWP China), the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), the Beijing Water Society, and the Tianjin Water Society. Jiang Yunzhong, the Secretary General of GWP China, was in attendance at the Expo's opening ceremony and delivered an insightful address.
Jiang Yunzhong at the opening ceremony
During the opening ceremony, Jiang Yunzhong highlighted Hebei's significance as a water-scarce region within China. He noted that Hebei has prioritized water conservancy development in recent years, increased investment in related infrastructure, fortified water resource management and protection, and achieved notable accomplishments. The Expo will showcase Hebei's innovations and advanced practices in water conservancy construction, water resource management, and water ecological protection, offering valuable insights for high-quality development in this sector.
Furthermore, Jiang emphasized the commitment of GWP China to fostering sustainable water resource use and supporting the growth of China's water conservancy industry with intellectual and technical resources. GWP China will continue to collaborate with Hebei to drive forward water conservancy development, while also seeking enhanced exchanges and partnerships with domestic and international stakeholders in the water conservancy field to jointly contribute to global water resource sustainability.
Jiang Yunzhong: "Pleased to attend the Expo once again".
Jiang added, "Having participated in the inaugural Hebei Water Expo last November, I am delighted to once again engage in discussions on water conservancy development at this Expo. It serves as a crucial platform for sharing experiences, displaying achievements, and facilitating cooperation. During the first Expo, we witnessed Hebei's vibrant water conservancy industry and its innovative strides, alongside the heightened focus on water resource protection and utilization. Hebei Provincial Water Conservancy Society, as the event organizer, has been instrumental in promoting Hebei's water conservancy development through academic exchange activities, fostering the innovation and advancement of water conservancy science and technology."
The Expo centers on water security, water ecology, flood management, and modern water network development in Hebei, gathering over 180 water-related enterprises and research institutions. More than 5,000 products and equipment spanning water conservancy technology innovation, flood prevention, water supply safety, water conservancy informatization, water ecology restoration, and water conservancy machinery applications are exhibited. With an exhibition area of 18,000 square meters, featuring 620 international standard booths, the Expo presents the latest scientific and technological advancements and professional equipment in water conservancy from both domestic and international contexts. Preliminary statistics from the organizing committee indicate that over 100 cooperation intentions were discussed on the Expo's opening day.
Concurrently, the "Hebei Water Innovation and Development Academic Exchange Conference" attracted numerous provincial professionals and national experts to deliberate on water conservancy science and technology innovation and explore high-quality water conservancy development paths.
Since its inception in 2023, the Hebei Water Expo has garnered significant social impact and industry attention, evolving into a prominent exhibition in China's water conservancy industry. It has played a pivotal role in advancing water conservancy construction and technological innovation in Hebei, as well as fostering industry-academia-research collaborations.