Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Australia for Technical Cooperation for Australia-India Water Security Initiative(AIWASI)

What is the News?

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) and the Government of Australia have signed an MoU for Technical Cooperation in urban water management.

What is the significance of the MoU?

The MoU will enable both India and Australia to learn about technological advancements gained by two nations in key areas of urban water security and, it will promote exchange of learning, best practices and capacity building of institutions.

It will also help promote cooperation between the two countries under Australia-India Water Security Initiative(AIWASI).

What is the Australia-India Water Security Initiative(AIWASI)?

Established in: 2020

Aim: To work towards the Water Sensitive City vision, which is based on holistic management of the integrated water cycle. 

The initiative will pair Australia’s expertise in water and urban design with Indian counterpart agencies and institutes – known as a “twinning arrangement”. It will address the increasing challenges associated with providing water and sanitation to cities.  

Phase one of the initiative includes analysis and selection of two locations in New Delhi, employing spatial intelligence analysis and mapping to determine two suitable sites to design and demonstrate exemplar Water Sensitive Urban Design(WSUD) and Nature-Based Solutions.

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Australia for Technical Cooperation for Australia-India Water Security Initiative(AIWASI)” published in PIB on 8th June 2022.