The state-run Korea Water Resources Corporation, or K-water, is determined to take the lead in the global water market, armed with the nation’s advanced information and communications technology, or ICT.

“One of the detailed themes to be discussed in next year’s World Water Forum is the Smart Water Grid, an ICT-based management system to supervise, predict and manage water resources,” said K-water.

The state-run corporation is currently in charge of the seventh triennial session of the World Water Forum, to be held in Daegu in May next year.

In preparation, an organization panel kicked off last year under the lead of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. A consultative meeting of the panel will be held this week on Thursday and Friday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

In this week’s preparatory meeting, officials will make their final selection on the key topic of the WWF 2015 ― either integrated water resource management or water security.

“Korea has a strong initiative in integrated water resource management, due to its successful experience in industrialization and its advanced level of information communication technology,” said a K-water official.

“Not only will it share its past experiences with developing nations but also suggest plausible water management solutions to the entire global community.”

Last year, K-water pledged to soon implement a Smart Water Grid by connecting ICT to the nation’s water and sewage systems. The comprehensive system, once completed, is expected to maximize the use of limited water resources without harming the natural environment.

Korea also has a strong voice in other issues, such as renewable energy, water conversion and green growth, the official added.

The WWF, the world’s most extensive water-related forum, kicked off in 1997 on the initiative of the World Water Council, reflecting the growing concerns of the global community over water resources.

The event involves more than 30,000 government officials, water experts and civic groups from more than 200 countries.

Despite efforts to protect water resources and to improve the efficiency of water management, however, a sense of crisis has been growing over recent years.

At the summit held in Budapest last year, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned that almost half of the world’s population would face serious water shortages by 2030.

The 2014 Global Risk Report by the World Economic Forum also cited water shortages as the third-largest risk factor currently faced by humanity.

But such difficulties may also serve as an opportunity for Korea to become an opinion leader at the water management forum, according to K-water.

The Netherlands, which hosted the second WWF in 2000, established an international water partnership and made a leap forward in the global water market.

Japan, too, was able to gain momentum in Asia’s water market after it held the third WWF in 2003.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)