Influential organizations and water innovators confirm their attendance at the International Water Summit from 15 - 17 January to discuss the water-energy nexus
IWS to offer global investment opportunities and sustainability solutions for the business sector in the Middle East region
Abu Dhabi, 28 November 2012: With 40 per cent of the world predicted to live in water-scarce regions by 2025, the search for solutions will be a key priority for the inaugural International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi from 15-17 January 2013 where the world's foremost water experts will gather to share their insights with companies and government delegations.
The International Water Summit (IWS), hosted by Masdar, will bring together over 5,000 influential business leaders, policymakers and scientists to tackle the urgent challenges of wastewater and water access and security, including the water-energy nexus in arid regions. IWS will have Borouge-Borealis as a principal sponsor and the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority as a strategic partner.
World-leading organizations that have already confirmed their participation are UN Habitat, the Global Water Operators' Partnership Alliance (GWOPA), UN Water, the International Desalination Association, the National Food Security Program of Qatar, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Stockholm International Water Institute, the Public Utilities Board Singapore and the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association.
Also providing speakers for the International Water Summit are water solution innovators and developers such as Suez Environment, Veolia Water, CH2MHILL, NASA, Befesa Agua, the King Abdulla University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Xylem, Metito, Acciona Agua and Hyflux.
A steering committee consisting of senior representatives from the UAE Ministry of Water and Environment, Masdar, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Regulation & Supervision Bureau and the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Service Company is guiding the International Water Summit, which is being held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Mohammad El-Ramahi, IWS Executive Steering Committee Secretary, Chairman of the Technical Committee and Head of Utilities, Engineering and Operation at Masdar, said the line-up of international
and regional speakers reflects the water community's seriousness about finding solutions to the global water challenges, especially the water-energy nexus.
"Throughout the summit, we will be taking an international approach to meet the water challenges affecting arid regions, especially the Middle East, and we are pleased that Uschi Eid, Vice Chair of the UN Secretary Generals Advisory Board on Water, will join IWS to address the urgent issue of water scarcity in Arab regions".
"Peter Forsmann, Chairman of the renowned Stockholm International Water Institute, will participate in a workshop about the future challenges affecting water availability which will identify and define the depletion, allocation and distribution challenges that arid regions face".
"In addition, Men Leong Chew, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Utilities Board Singapore, will offer his vast experience during the interactive panel discussion on sustainable growth and economic development in arid regions".
Mr El-Ramahi also confirmed that Lee McIntire, Chief Executive of CH2M HILL, will be on the panel discussing the topic of Water and Energy as a Catalyst to Regional Development and Sustainable Growth which will be moderated by Mohamoud Abu-Zeid, President of the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA).
Another highlight of IWS will the panel discussion on cross boundary collaboration through international water governance.
"Dr Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN Habitat, will join us for this forum which will closely look at the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as a framework for analysis and comment on international water strategy and policy, and the effectiveness of collaboration to achieve water sustainability and to meet the global demand for potable water", said Mr El-Ramahi.
The International Water Summit (15 -17 January 2013) will be co-located with the World Future Energy Summit as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (13-17 January 2013).
International Water Summit
In response to the Abu Dhabi leadership's compelling declaration that water is more important than oil in the United Arab Emirates, the 2013 International Water Summit from 15 - 17 January 2013 is a bold first step in this arid region to develop the strategic action plans and innovative solutions needed to safeguard this invaluable resource with as little environmental impact as possible.
The 2013 International Water Summit is a testament to the commitment taken by the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Masdar to embrace the inseparable relationship between water and energy. Like energy sustainability, water sustainability needs to be at the top of the global agenda.
For more information about the International Water Summit, visit: www.iwsabudhabi.com
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, January 13-17, 2013, will attract an anticipated 30,000 participants from 150 countries to Abu Dhabi for what will be the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East. ADSW will provide a platform for leaders to address the business, technology and financial challenges required for sustainable development and consider investments and partnerships that can deliver real world solutions. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will include the following five events: the 6th edition of the World Future Energy Summit; the International Renewable Energy Conference; the International Water Summit; the 5th annual Zayed Future Energy Prize Awards Ceremony; and the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency.
For more information about Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, visit: www.abudhabisustainabilityweek.com
LIST OF SPEAKERS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW UPON REQUEST
Alex Katon, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Communications, IPR-GDF SUEZ Middle East, Turkey & Africa
Alistair Munro, CEO / Managing Director, PROJECX
Anthony Cox, Head of Division, Environment and Economy Integration OECD
Asma El-Kasmi, UNESCO Chair Holder Water Women and Decision Power, UNESCO
Bekele Debele Negewo, Water Resources Specialist, World Bank
Bob Taylor, Business Development Director, Sembcorp
Carl Ganter, Founder and Director, Circle of Blue
Carlos Cosín, CEO, Befesa Agua
Christoph Beier, Managing Director, German Tech
Colin J Hannan, Director of Special Projects-Water, Regulation & Supervision Bureau, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Diego Lucente, Expert Non Revenue Water, Suez Environment
Dr. Ahmed Murad, Dr. Ahmed Ali Murad, Associate Professor Hydrogeology, Geology Department, UAE University
Dr. Corrado Sommariva, Managing Director, ILF Middle East
Dr. Graeme Pierce, Membrane Consultant
Dr. Ilham Khadri, Executive, Dow Chemicals
Dr. Thomas Missimer, Visiting Professor, KAUST
Dr. Adil A. Bushnak, Chairman & CEO, Bushnak Group Saudi Arabia
Dr. Farrukh Ahmad, Associate Professor Water and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute
Dr. Hassan Fath, Professor, Masdar Institute
Dr. Masaru Kurihara, President of Asia Pacific Desalination Association, (APDA), Director IDA, Senior Scientific Director, "Mega-ton Water System"
Dr. Mohamed A. Dawoud, Water Resources Advisor, Environment Quality Sector, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Dr. Mohamed Yousef Al Madfaei, Director General, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Dr. Mohamed Yousef Al Madfaei, Executive Director, Integrated Environment Policy and Planning Sector, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Dr. Rabi Mohtar, Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University Executive Director, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute
Dr. Rachel McDonnell, Water Policy and Governance, International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture
Edwin Young, Programme Manager Estidama, Urban Planning Council Abu Dhabi
Fady Juez, President, Metito
Fahad Al-Attiya, Chairman, The National Food Security Program Qatar
Faraj Al-Awar, Programme Director, GWOPA
Gary Amy, Director - Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Ghassan Ejjeh, Senior Vice President, Besix
Harry Seah, CTO, Public Utilities Board Singapore
Heather Cooley, Programme Co- Director, Pacific Institute
Jesus Sancho, Director Middle East, Acciona Agua
Joan Clos, Executive Director, UN Habitat
Joppe Cramwinckel , Water Director, World Business Council on Sustainable Development
Karl Rose, Director Policy & Scenarios, World Energy Council
Khaldoun Kashman, Secretary General, Arab Countries Water Utilities Association
Lee McIntire, CEO, CH2MHILL
Leon Awerbuch, President, LET
Linda Macpherson, Vice President, CH2M HILL
Majid Hasan Al Suwaidi, Lead Climate Change Negotiator, Directorate of Energy & Climate Change, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Malcolm Haddock, Planning and Forecasting Department Manager, ADSSC
Mark Lane, Partner, Pinsent Masons
Matthew Griffiths, Director Water Strategy & Reuse, RSB
Men Leong Chew, CEO, Public Utilities Board Singapore
Michel Canet, Executive Vice President, Veolia Water
Miguel Angel Sanz, Director of Innovation Development, Degremont SA
Mike Kuchenbrod, President Water Solutions, Xylem
Mohamed Ait Kadi, Chairman, Global Water Partnership, Technical Committee
Mohammad Al Hajjiri, Head of Water Forecast Section, ADWEC
Mohammed Eid Obaid, Water O&M Division Manager, Al Ain Distribution Company
Mohammed El Ramahi, Head of Utilities & Asset Management, Masdar
Mohamoud Abu-Zeid, President, Arab Countries Water Utilities Association
Nancy E Barnes, VP Water Business Group, CH2MHILL
Per Bertilsson, Acting Executive Director, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)
Peter Forssman, Chairman, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)
Peter Gleick, President, Pacific Institute
Prof. Peter Werner, Dean, UAE University
Robert Bradley, Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE
Sam Ong, Group Deputy CEO, Hyflux
Thomas Altmann, Executive Vice President, ILF
Thorsteinn Gudnason, Managing Director, Aquaomnis
Tom Soo, Executive Director, IWRA
Tony Douglas, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports Company
Uschi Eid, Vice Chair, UN Secretary Generals Advisory Board on Water
Walid Saleh, Regional Coordinator, MENA, The United Nations University - Institute for Water, Environment, & Heath (UNU-INWEH)
Yaşar Yakış, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
Dr. Kadri Ozen, Group Public Affairs Director, Coca-Cola Eurasia and Africa Group (needs invite - confirmed available via Coca Cola)
Bogachan Benli, Global Director, UNEP
Dave Hillyard, Head of Major Partnerships, WaterAid
Bert Diphoorn, Senior Advisor, Urban Basic Services, UN-Habitat
Michel Jarraud, Chair, UN-Water
Source: Zawya.com