A major upcoming summit in Abu Dhabi aimed at promoting global collaboration on water sustainability has confirmed that almost all available exhibition space has been sold for the 2014 event.

The second International Water Summit (IWS), hosted by Masdar and in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, is set to run from January 20 to 22 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Organisers of IWS 2014, Reed Exhibitions has attributed the interest in this year’s show to the growing recognition regionally and globally that water security is an issue that cannot be ignored by any country.

The IWS’s co-location with the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) stems directly from the need to identify holistic solutions to both energy conservation and water scarcity.

Almost the entire exhibition space has already been sold for next year’s event even though floor space has been increased by twenty-five percent since the previous edition of IWS.

“We’re seeing many more companies and government organisations from the UAE and the region, but the interest from abroad is growing significantly as well” said Ara Fernezian, divisional managing director – UAE at Reed Exhibitions.

“We have significant participation in IWS2014 expo by companies and pavilions from 20 countries including the UK, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Italy, the US, Germany and Singapore. This region faces many critical water issues, but it is also a testing ground for new advances in efficient water desalination, treatment and technologies,” said Fernezian.

Another important highlight at IWS is the strong local and international interest in the Sustainable Water Solutions Village – a venue for the discussion of the most pressing water issues facing the UAE: the groundwater crisis and access to financial resources for farmers looking to invest in less water intensive farming methods.

The exhibition area at IWS attracts a wide range of stakeholders in the water sector, keen to share their latest innovations, demonstrate their sustainability credentials, and develop new relationships for business.

IWS will be joining forces with the World Future Energy Summit as well as the first edition of the EcoWaste exhibition, both of them also hosted by Masdar, and a number of sustainability and energy initiatives, attracting the world’s attention and forming a unique platform of global expertise. – TradeArabia News Service