WFES (World Future Energy Summit), a key enabler of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2019 (ADSW), is featuring the new WFES Water Forum which presents the latest thinking and technology that will help outline solutions to the world’s significant water scarcity challenges and enable the UAE’s Water Security Strategy.

 

Entitled “Disrupting the Water-Energy-Food-Nexus to Optimize Efficiency, Security and Sustainability’’, and organised in partnership with the International Desalination Association, the WFES Water Forum will explore the evolving interrelationship between water and energy production and technological advances that are creating a low-carbon, more cost-efficient future in clean water production. 

 

Take place today and tomorrow (January 14 and 15), distinguished panellists will discuss disruptive action to drive innovative resource sustainability, increase water resources for food production, and grow food with a fraction of the water used today.

 

“As an important platform with high-level participants not only from UAE but also regionally and internationally, WFES Water Forum will outline the potential of a broad spectrum of technical solutions to improve water conservation and management,” says Miguel Angel Sanz, IDA president, and director for strategic development treatment sector.

 

“From next generation, cutting edge technologies that enhance resource management and efficiency, to investment capital and policy reform, the forum highlights the key water industry issues and identifies pro-active solutions to the challenges and opportunities faced.”

 

Leading speakers to address the forum include:

• Eng Fatima Al Foora Al Shamsi, assistant undersecretary for electricity, water and future energy affairs, Ministry of Energy and Industry, UAE;

• Miguel Angel Sanz, IDA president, and director for strategic development treatment sector, Suez, France;

• Khalid bin Zwaid Al Quershi, CEO, Water and Electricity Company, Saudi Arabia;

• Naser Bin Lootah, executive vice president, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), UAE;

• Dr Olcay Unver, deputy director, land and water division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and vice-chair of UN-Water, Italy; and

• Sulton Rahimzoda, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Tajikistan

 

According to the World Economic Forum, water-related crises have been among the top five global risks in terms of impact in each of the last four years. With 2.1 billion people still lacking access to safe drinking water and 4.5 billion people lacking safely managed sanitation services, there is an urgent need for sustainable solutions to the pressing challenge of water stress.

 

“The WFES Water Forum offers a platform for decision makers and stakeholders – practitioners, research institutes, the private sector, financers and business leaders - to meet, discuss pressing issues related to water, share experiences, exchange technologies and cooperate to meet the needs of sustainable development in the region,” says Shannon McKarthy, secretary general, IDA.

 

“The forum brings together the full spectrum of practitioners, business leaders, technology developers and end users involved in solving the water crisis at the global, regional and national levels. Through this event we bring everyone concerned under one umbrella to work and exchange ideas on common problems.”

 

For the arid countries of the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, the event directly deals with one of their most pressing sustainability challenges. The WFES Water Forum comes at a time when there is a need to increase desalination capacity to meet projected regional demand from rapidly expanding populations. 

 

Regional governments are already pushing forward with ambitious projects that seek to reduce local countries’ previous reliance on expensive desalination plants in favor of more energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies.    

 

Water is one of the seven pillars of ADSW along with Energy & Climate Change, Future of Mobility, Space Exploration, Biotechnology, Technology for Good and Digitalization.With 40 leading international speakers appearing at the forum, the WFES Water Expo will feature 80 exhibiting companies, more than 2,000 visitors and 2,500 pre-scheduled meetings.

 

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, WFES is a global industry platform connecting business and innovation in energy, clean technology and efficiency for a sustainable future. 

 

Organised by Reed Exhibitions and running at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), the event’s theme, ‘Embracing the Future, Welcoming Disruption’, reflects its mission to serve as a global sustainability catalyst. - TradeArabia News Service