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The United Arab Emirates is set to showcase its adoption of innovative technologies as a means to ensure a water secure future and address the inter-connected challenges of the energy-water nexus at the 7th World Water Forum to be held in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, South Korea, from April 12-17.
Among the projects that the UAE will highlight are the nation’s 70 desalination plants, its cost-effective wastewater collection and conveyance systems, advanced hydroponics techniques and a pioneering renewable energy powered desalination pilot project spearheaded by Masdar.
A high-level delegation representing government, business, as well as energy and water experts will attend the event led by His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar and His Excellency Dr Rashi Ahmed bin Fahed, UAE Minister of Environment and Water.
Speaking ahead of the forum, His Excellency Dr Al Jaber said: “Water scarcity has been identified as one of the most pressing issues facing our generation, particularly in the arid Gulf region where water production is a costly and an energy-intensive process. In the UAE, the leadership has fostered a culture of sustainability and innovation as fundamental pillars of our country’s development. We have, therefore, taken one of our greatest challenges and turned it into an opportunity through the development and adoption of innovative technology to counter water scarcity. The World Water Forum is an opportunity for us to share our knowledge and best practices in an effort to counter our collective global challenge of water scarcity.”
According to the United Nations World Water Development Report, the world will face a 40 per cent shortfall in water supplies by 2030 due to increased urbanisation, rapid population growth and a growing demand for water for food production, energy and industry. The report forecasts global water demand will increase 55 percent by 2050 if current usage trends continue.
“With the UAE’s growing economy and rising population, it is vital that we develop and deploy sustainable policies and solutions that address the water challenge through water’s inherent linkage with energy. The UAE recognises that achieving sustainable access to both resources requires us to address their interconnectivity to meet our long-term water needs,” said His Excellency Dr Rashi Ahmed bin Fahed.
Managed by the World Water Council, the World Water Forum is the largest international conference on water. The forum, held every three years since its inception in 1997, brings together decision makers, scientific experts spanning public and private sectors, academia and industry to drive international discussions on global water challenges.
Under the theme ‘Water for Our Future,’ the 7th World Water Forum convenes at a time when the UN Millennium Development Goals, set in 2000, are due to expire and sustainable development goals are to be established. The 7th World Water Forum will serve as a crucial platform to explore conclusive outcomes for tackling water security issues.
The UAE delegation to the 7th World Water Forum will include representatives from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment & Water, Federal Electricity & Water Authority, Executive Affairs Authority, National Centre of Meteorology & Seismology, Masdar – Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company, Regulation and Supervision Bureau, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, and the United Arab Emirates University.
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