CEO MONTHLY / GLOBAL COO EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2025 5 advanced scientific methods, we continuously refine our approaches to address water modelling challenges.” “Transparency plays a key part in addressing these challenges. We operate as a model ethical corporate entity, holding our core values and commitments to sound governance. These values encapsulate the delivery of our functions with integrity, building value and opportunities for our stakeholders whilst also sustaining and enriching our stakeholders with whom we work and the communities we serve and support.” Exploring these core values in more detail, eWater’s values comprise integrity, accountability, development, and growth. This can be seen across what both his greatest challenge and his proudest achievement is – helping developing countries make considerable strides in their climate-sensitive water resources management. Nations close to Australia are beginning to tackle challenges relating to their long-term water security as a result of the variable, unforgiving climate, and Australia is well placed to be able to help its neighbours as a result of its knowledge and proficiency in capacity building. Mekong Water Solutions was a brilliant example of this, with the business employing 30 local professionals to develop a strategy, structure, and implementation plan to deliver water resource projects in the Mekong. In the more than two years it was in operation, this initiative secured USD$145m in funding from the World Bank, built strong relationships with key ministries in Cambodia (such as the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), and became acclaimed amongst stakeholders on the back of its ability to provide practical solutions to the most pressing water management issues. With the experiences taken from this project still fresh in his mind, Stephen shared with us that his future ambitions for eWater Group are based around maturing and strategically growing both the company and its services. A newly created international committee of the board will help oversee these expansion efforts, allowing the company to reach as many people and communities as it can across Indo-Pacific countries. Explaining this further, Stephen told us: “We want to build on this experience and our unique position as a trusted advisor to governments relating to water management, expanding our operations into these areas of opportunity.” Outside of this, eWater Group remains committed to the pursuit of sustainable and climate-resilient management of water in Australia and beyond through partnerships and the provision of trusted and innovative expertise and tools. We develop and deliver Australia’s National Hydrological Modelling Platform, eWater Source, on behalf of all Australian governments; and deliver international water development programs on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Water Partnership. eWater Source is, at its core, an incredibly powerful national asset, one developed by a high calibre of technical Australian expertise and knowledge. The capabilities of this platform have been recognised nationally, resulting in its deployment to model river basins internationally. Finally, Stephen shared more details on the previously mentioned third phase of the Australian Water Partnership: “We signed the new contract with DFAT in May 2024 and commenced Phase 3 immediately, concurrent with the transition and success of Phase 2 activities. It is expected that Phase 3 will run until June 2029, building on the success of previous phases, but focusing particularly on climate resilience in water management in developing countries across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.” Ultimately, as it works towards these initiatives, it is worth reinforcing the great work that eWater Group does in enabling the sustainable, climateresilient management of water in Australia and internationally. This is made possible only by its people, including awardwinning COO Stephen Cory, who are responsible for the company’s strategic direction as “trusted adviser” – instilling confidence in partners and stakeholders alike from all over the world. More information about this can be found using the link below. Contact: Stephen Cory Company: eWater Group Web Address: ewater.org.au
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