Top experts, government officials and 17 associations from 20 Arab countries are participating at the 18th International Conference of the Union of Arab Chemists which opened today (March 26) in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

The event is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah.

Also attending the event are Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, managing director of RAK Free Trade Zone, managing director of the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority; Mohammed Ahmed Al Kait, advisor at the Amiri Diwan, director of Antiquities and Museums Department; Prof Haidar Sayed Jawad Behbehani, secretary general of the federation and deputy director of Kuwait University and Dr Ahmed Ali Murad, dean of the Faculty of Science, Emirates University, and a delegation from the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies "FACS" headed by Prof Jassem Al Din Ahmed and members of the executive office of the Union of Arab Chemists.

The conference will discuss 38 chemical scientific research papers in order to develop communication between scientists in various fields and explore the future of chemistry through modern applications in industry, medicine and the environment, said a statement.

Speaking at the conference, Moza Saif Matar Al Shamsi, president of the UAE Chemical Society, said: “The chemistry of the past was a crucible of creativity and the path towards innovation and invention.”

“Pharmacy and medicine emerged from chemistry. The field has flourished and the architectural, technological, nuclear and other revolutions all emerged from chemistry. What we have reached is the evolution of its chemical basis, the air we breathe, the food we emphasise in our vital processes, and our practical life,” he said.

“We are proud and honoured to host scientists and chemists from all over the world who have accepted our invitation to exchange ideas and learn about the most important scientific and applied researches in various chemistry fields,” he added.

The main topics covered by the conference included: nuclear chemistry, industrial and applied chemistry, medicine, health sciences, clean energy, applications, nanotechnology, sustainable environmental chemistry, recycling, desalination and water treatment, said a statement.

Al Shamsi also thanked HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi for his continuous support for the Emirates Chemical Society, in many scientific events with UAE representation at numerous international forums.

Behbehani said: “The acceleration of chemistry technology and its importance places the responsibility upon us as scientists and researchers to challenge it through discussion of new issues and developments in industry, medicine and energy.”

“This should be done in order to activate the role of chemistry in life as well as the best utilisation of the available potential and capacities in order to invest in the interests of humankind according to its need, and in support of the role of scientific research and development in the Arab world,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service