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In its second edition, the International Water Summit (IWS) opens tomorrow celebrating a 25% increase in exhibition space, the unveiling of over 133 new products and services, and the participation of more than 180 exhibiting companies, 77 speakers and experts and 5,000 attendees from more than 50 countries, including policy and business leaders, scientists, academia, innovators and entrepreneurs.Hosted by Masdar in partnership with Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), the 2nd International Water Summit will be held from January 20-22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
This increasing interest shows that IWS is quickly positioning itself regionally and globally as the leading specialized water event promoting water sustainability.
Building on the outstanding success of last year’s inaugural edition, IWS 2014 is determined to continue advancing in the global effort to promote sustainable water resource management solutions by creating an international networking hub where key industry players from public and private sectors can come together.
Leading the way, the IWS 2014 conference program will address key challenges and solutions facing the arid regions in integrated water resource management, renewable energy desalination, successful strategies for water re-use, optimizing water production, water security issues, and the water-energy nexus.
It will feature local and international prominent water sustainability experts from renowned local institutions like Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), as well as international organizations such as Alliance for Water Stewardship, Germany, and Pacific Institute, USA. The International Desalination Academy, which supports IWS for the second year as a Knowledge Partner for the event, will offer 15 industry enhancing desalination sessions.
“In the last 20 years, the evolution of desalination technologies has significantly reduced energy consumption and the cost of water. Technological innovation – from growth in new technologies to development of renewable sources of energy to power desalination – is the key factor in optimizing water and energy costs worldwide. Increasing energy efficiency remains a goal for the industry as we chart the course to sustainable desalination.” said Dr. Abdullah Al-Alshaikh, IDA President and Deputy Governor for Planning and Development of Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC).
The exhibition space, which has seen a 25% growth, has also posted a 70% increase in new product launches from 2013. This year, the new products and technologies on show at the IWS exhibition will cater to a diversity of industries, including agriculture, utilities and construction.
According to Ara Fernezian, Divisional Managing Director – UAE at Reed Exhibitions, “many more companies and government organizations from the UAE and the region are joining IWS, but the response from abroad has been phenomenal.”
Countries like Germany, France and the United Kingdomwill be represented by over 10 different companies each. Italy, the United States, Switzerland, Japan and Singapore have also confirmed strong attendance numbers.
“Exhibitors such as Reinert-Ritz, from Germany, Ecoplage, from France, and Delta-T Devices, from the UK, will have the opportunity to further position themselves in the water industry, profile their technologies and projects, meet global partners and gain access to leaders, policy and decision makers.” added Fernezian.
Participants at IWS 2014 will also be able to join in a series of in-depth technical workshops on wastewaters, water re-use and non-revenue water, and enjoy an industry-led breakfast briefing on SMART water trends and innovations at the enhanced Sustainable Water Solutions Village, which will feature technologies, projects and case studies addressing the challenges of water security.
In addition, participants will have the benefit of attending the 7th edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the debut EcoWASTE, co-located with IWS and also hosted by Masdar. The three events will enable 30,000 delegates and visitors and around 850 exhibiting companies to maximize networking and business opportunities, partnerships and global learning in the search for a more sustainable and equitable world.
“Together, the World Future Energy Summit, EcoWASTE and the International Water Summit create an incredible opportunity to holistically address the three key challenges for sustainable future – energy demand, water shortage and waste disposal. I am positive that new and returning participants will enjoy every aspect of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which is promoting significant global collaboration to help ensure our rapidly growing demand for energy and natural resources is met sustainably. ” concluded Fernezian.
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