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OPEN FOR ONE EXTRA DAY TO DO BUSINESS
DAILY NEWS 19th January 2015
Industry leaders address global thirst for water sustainability solutions THE THIRD edition of the International Water Summit (IWS) opens its doors at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC) today, as more than 7,000 people from the water and wastewater industry worldwide gather to promote and discuss water sustainability in arid regions. Held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, IWS intends to act as a platform, bringing together world leaders, field experts and business innovators to tackle the industry’s challenges and promote innovative solutions. HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and CEO of Masdar, said, “Without access to safe, potable water, global ambitions to create a sustainable future underpinned by social and economic stability are unattainable. “Yet, across the world, particularly in arid regions such as the Middle East and North Africa, significant water stress leaves our energy security and economic future in the balance. IWS is a platform designed to address this.” Co-located with the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and EcoWASTE, and part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, IWS will feature
#IWS15
IWS is set to welcome more than 7,000 people this year
more than 70 global industry speakers as part of its conference programme. Key topics to be covered in this year’s conference include water conservation and future water sustainability, integrated water resource management, smart water technology and creating water network efficiency. Another major focus of the IWS conference is the nexus of water and energy in food security. In 2011, Arab countries spent US$56bn on food imports, according to a recent report by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED). Furthermore, this figure is forecast to grow to US$150bn by 2050 if the gaps in food production are not addressed. Najib Saab, secretary general of AFED, stated, “Irrigation efficiency and water productivity need to be boosted to ensure food security for Arab countries. A radical shift is necessary toward crops that are less water-intensive.” In addition to the exhibition and conference, IWS 2015 welcomes the launch of Innovate@IWS. The inaugural initiative, co-organised by Isle Utilities, gives innovators and technologists from across the water industry the chance to connect with investors and end users, as well as showcase their products and ideas to an expert panel.
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19 January 2015
WHAT’S INSIDE... 2
NEWS: MENA region to spend US$300bn on water projects by 2022
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NEWS: Atmospheric Water Solutions launches innovative technology
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FEATURE: Global experts set to address major industry topics at the IWS conference Q&A: Alan Thomson, managing director for Abu Dhabi Sewerage & Services Company (ADSSC), speaks exclusively about viable solutions for water security and the UAE's approach to sustainable technologies PICTURE GALLERY: Take a look back at the highlights of IWS 2014
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DAY 1
NEWS
UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) launches Agricultural Innovation Centre in Sharjah Stand no: 3120 HIS EXCELLENCY Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water, inaugurated the Agricultural Innovation Centre in Al-Dhaid, Sharjah in December. The new centre will be responsible for the outlining, planning and execution of new and innovative research projects supporting sustainable agricultural development and contributing to the establishment of a research network for agricultural innovations within the region. The minister commented that the Agricultural Innovation Centre falls in line with the UAE Vision 2021, and also complements the National Innovation Strategy recently unveiled by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which will strive to make the UAE one of the world’s most innovative countries in seven years by focusing on seven major sectors including water, renewable energy and technology. His Excellency added that the Agricultural Innovation Centre is part of the ministry’s strategy
to enhance food safety in the country and promote the sustainability of local production, commenting that it is imperative to keep the country’s research abreast of advanced science and technological developments, which could help to develop the local agriculture sector, such as DNA profiling. The minister was also briefed on the ongoing research on greenhouse and hydroponic systems development as well as experiments conducted to cultivate quinoa, following which the Ministry is planning to expand the cultivation of this crop, which offers lucrative economic returns and has the ability to grow in hot and dry climates. The centre will organise international workshops on agricultural innovation in coordination with local, regional and international partners as well as participating in industry-specific events. It will coordinate with top international centres specialising in agricultural technologies through the execution of joint scientific research and partnership programs and schemes to develop the country’s agricultural system. It will collaborate with international organisa-
tions, authorities and industry experts, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The centre will also participate in joint studies with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) on areas including the effects of multiple levels of salinity on the production of salinity-tolerant crops.
Experiments are being conducted to cultivate quinoa crops (Photo: Bioversity International)
MENA to spend US$300bn on water projects by 2022 GOVERNMENTS IN the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are expected to spend US$300bn on water and desalination projects by 2022, according to industry reports. The prediction was made ahead of the International Water Summit (IWS) conference, which this year is titled ‘Promoting Water Sustainability in Arid Regions’, and will look to address the water-energy nexus and its effect on regional and global food security. Rashed Al Rashdi, deputy director general of the Abu Dhabi Regulation and Supervision Bureau and a partner of IWS, said, “With Abu Dhabi’s population and economy forecast to grow steadily over the coming years, harmonising strategies that support the sustainable supply of potable water is of key importance. “IWS is a prime opportunity to share global best practices, and promote collaborative efforts towards conserving precious resources for future generations and ensuring water is available to support future economic prosperity and social development.” The conference will discuss water conservation and future sustainability, strategic direction within the GCC and project investment. In addition, 2015 marks the end of the
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United Nations’ Decade for Action on Water Scarcity – an initiative designed to promote the Millenium Declaration, pledged to resolve water and related issues. Faraj El-Awar, programme manager of UN Habitat’s Global Water Operators Partnerships Alliance, said, “Water is perhaps the most complex of the three major resource challenges as it is seen as a free resource and declared by the UN General Assembly in 2010 as a human right.
INTERNATIONAL WATER SUMMIT 19th January 2015
“Yet, the reality in arid regions is that it is a scarce and incredibly precious resource. This must be reflected through robust policies, integrated strategies and sustained investment, particularly as populations grow.” IWS is supported by the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, the Regulation and Supervision Bureau (RSB), and Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC).
Abu Dhabi’s population and economy is set to expand in the years to come (Photo: Asim Bharwani)
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DAY 1
NEWS
Atmospheric Water Solutions launches latest technology
IWS DAY 1 – PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE 10:00 – 11:30
Joint Opening Ceremony Hosted by Masdar
11:30 – 14:30
Exhibitions Tours and Lunch
14:30 – 14:35
Welcome and Introduction
14:35 – 14:50
One-to-One Interview
14:50 – 15:00
High Level Keynote Address
15:00 – 16:00
The Economics of Climate Change
16:00 – 16:15
Keynote Address
16:15 – 17:30
Partnerships as Enablers for Technology Innovation – Solar Impulse Case Study
Stand no: 3011
INNOVATE@IWS - DAY 1 10:00 – 11:30
Presentation: Gulf Market Challenges by Alan Thomson, Managing Director, ADSSC
15:00 – 15:15
The innovation cycle, commercialisation, and Technology Approval Group (TAG) by Stuart Moss, Managing Director of Isle Utilities
15:15 – 15:35
Research and Development for Water in the GCC by Dr. Taha B.M.J. Ouarda Head of Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), and Professor, Water and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute
15:35 – 15:45
A case study on Low-energy desalination using Forward Osmosis at Ghantoot pilot plant Trevi Systems USA, John Webley, CEO, Trevi Systems
15:45 – 16:00
Investment Community Requirements by Dr. Piers Clark, Partner, Global Water Development Partners, (a Blackstone Portfolio Company)
16:00 – 16:35
Competition Round 1- Municipal Water: Finalist candidates will present their innovations to the panel in a “Dragon’s Den” competition to see which innovation is the most promising at IWS 2015. Participating Innovators: ControlPoint, Trevi Systems, Xylem, Sustec Consulting Contracting B.V.
Panel of Judges
Dr. Taha B.M.J. Ouarda, Head of Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), and Professor, Water and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute Dr. Piers Clark, Partner, Global Water Development Partners, (a Blackstone Portfolio Company)
ATMOSPHERIC WATER Solutions (AWS), one of the original Patent holders and a global leader in atmospheric water generation technology, will be showcasing its latest generation technology for the first time at the International Water Summit (IWS). Atmospheric water generators are systems that make pure water from air through the process of condensation. Current machines are run on refrigeration systems that require electricity to power compressors, which causes a barrier for developing world countries with limited power supplies. The company’s new machine, a finalist in the Innovate@IWS contest for best new technology, produces pure water from air without a compressor, requiring very little power. It runs on heat supplied by a small amount of electricity, battery power, propane, natural gas, or even heat from the sun. This new technology is much more flexibly scalable, giving AWS the ability to go far beyond the current limits of 18,000 litres per day. AWS has water-making devices from 12 litres to an expected millions of litres per day with systems running both on and off grid. It also boasts sales across 22 countries, with offices in the USA, India and the Middle East. Its target industries include oil companies, hotels, miners, hospitals, and businesses.
Country pavilion showcases French companies’ talents and products in water and wastewater technology Hall 4: France Pavilion MORE THAN 35 French companies are exhibiting at the 2015 International Water Summit (IWS) and the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) under the France Pavilion. Organised by UBIFrance, the French Agency for International Business Development, the France Pavilion will allow exhibitors to showcase a variety of products and demonstrate their relevant expertise at the conference. French companies exhibiting at IWS include UVGERMI, a manufacturer of UV
www.internationalwatersummit.com
sterilisers for water treatment, as well as ADIONICS, which provides new technology in the water desalination sector. As Europe’s second largest renewable energy producer, France is rich in renewable energy resources and is one of the leading producers of water treatment equipment, according to UBIFrance. In addition to the French agency, the country Pavilion has been organised in partnership with the ADEME International Club, the French Embassy to the UAE and the Renewable Energy Association.
French companies will demonstrate a range of technology and expertise at IWS
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DAY 1
FEATURE
Global experts gather to address water sustainability challenges M ORE THAN 70 experts from across the globe will gather at this year’s International Water Summit (IWS) to promote worldwide collaboration in addressing water sustainability and security challenges in arid regions such as the Middle East and North Africa. The four-day summit is set to include a conference that will discuss key topics, including water conservation and future water sustainability, energy-efficient and clean technology desalination, project investment and strategic water sector forecasting. Water policies, integrated water resource management, the use of water in industry to improve sustainability, and the nexus of water and energy in food are a number of other topics that will be the focus of the 2015 IWS conference. Among the speakers and panellists lined up for the conference programme will be Dr. Walid Saleh, head of MENA Regional Programme at The United Nations University-Institute; HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, secretary general of the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi; and HE Dr. Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Ibrahim, governor of Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Saudi Arabia (SWCC). The IWS 2015 conference, which last year hosted more than 92 speakers and experts and 297 delegates, will also feature Miguel Angel Sanz, director of development and innovation at Degrémont; Adrian Sym, executive director at Alliance for Water Stewardship; and Linda MacPherson, vice-president at CH2M HILL. The fourth day of this year’s summit, Thursday 22 January, will feature a workshop programme, including discussions on ‘Fresh water, stakes and law in context’, ‘Threats to sustainability of the marine resources in the Arabian Gulf’ and ‘Solutions to achieve future sustainability’. For the third year running, the International Desalination Association (IDA) is a knowledge partner at the IWS and as such will play a significant role at the event. One way in which the IDA will be actively involved in the four-day summit is by presenting sessions at the conference. Tuesday 20 January will feature a number of IDA-organised panel discussions. Moderated by IDA Desalination Academy president Leon Awerbuch, one such panel will focus on the desalination energy and environment nexus while
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The IWS conference hosted more than 92 speakers and welcomed around 300 delegates last year another will look at sustainable desalination and advanced water reuse. IDA secretary general Patricia A Burke said, “Sustainability is a key topic for the world’s water supply and desalination is unique in its ability to provide our thirsty world with the only new and renewable source of fresh water. “Through advanced water reuse treatment we are able to extend the lifecycle of this previous resource. Our industry’s great strides in reducing energy requirements add an important dimension to desalination and water reuse as a holistically sustainable water solution.” Furthermore, the 2015 edition of IWS will include Innovate@IWS, a brand new initiative intended to allow innovators and clean technologists to easily connect with investors, partners and end users and work towards sustainable water solutions. Co-organised by Isle Utilities, the inaugural feature will provide clean technology developers with the chance to pitch their innovations to a panel of expert judges from across the globe, consisting of investors, regulators, utilities, water users in industries, and real-estate and
INTERNATIONAL WATER SUMMIT 19th January 2015
technical experts. Stuart Moss, Isle Utilities managing director for Europe and the UK, said, “By participating in the competition, technologists have five minutes to pitch their idea to a panel of experts. The selected tech will be presented to the audience, following which the technologies will be put through a due diligence procedure.” Following the judging process individual winners will be chosen from three event categories: municipal water, industrial water, and water for real-estate. The creators of these winning technologies will be awarded dedicated meetings with potential stakeholders from the investment, end user and partner communities. “It is important that we offer a realistic picture of how the technology can be commercialised given regulatory requirements, environmental impacts and other issues,” Moss added. “Naturally, investors will want to know the size of the potential market for the new technology, and be fully aware of all the issues they need to consider.” For the full conference programme and speaker line up at IWS, please visit iwsabudhabi.com www.internationalwatersummit.com
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DAY 1
MAP
VENUE MAP
EVENT FLOORPLAN CAFE FRANCE PAVILION
4416 UVERGMI
3400
SUSTAINABILITY BUSINESS CONNECT
4402 RITMO
INNOVATE @ IWS
MOEW FEATURE
THEATRE
3305
4400
SIP
4401
UBIFRANCE
4414
TMW TECHNOLOGIES
4412 ODYSSEE
4410
FAGGIOLATI
3332
3333
3344 3103 STAR ACWUA
4300
3101
PEPSI Co.
XYLEM
THERMOWATT
UTILITY SENTRY
3315
3316
3312
3313
3310
3311
ENNESYS
3320
3318
BLUE OCEAN
ATMOSPHERIC WATER SOLUTION
CONTROL POINT
3300
4413 ECOPLAGE
WISEWATER
OXYMEM
TREVI
BGH
3220
DENMARK
EAW
3331
AWW
XYLEM
ADSSC
JCCME
ITRON
IDA
4320
ENTRANCE FROM
ATRIUM
3130
4126
3100
4122 HAMBAKER
3110
4123
4120 UK PAV
3001 HEPWORTH
REVOLVE
EAD
4125
XIMAX
FCC AQUALIA
3000
4130
MI
ADWEA
MOEW
TARGET VALVE
WFES 2015 EcoWASTE 2015
RSB
ABU DHABI PORTS COMPANY
3120
HYDRO BALANCE
3104
SEATING AREA
4220
4210
JFE 3240
3231
4240
3210
ENNESYS
3242
ARAMOON SEAS SA
3102
3340 DR BLUHM
HEXACOVER
EXEED
ADFCA 3200
3330
3230 3235
FRT
3115
AL WASAIL
DMA
SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
4411
4310
NAHTAM
3317
SUSTEC
IWS CONFERENCE
4440
4420
ADIONCIS
MICROHUMUS DATALINK
CLEANFIELD
3303
3301
HYDREKA
POSTER GALLERY
ISLE
3302
4417 4415
3003
INTER ACT
3004 DELTARES
3005
3007
REINERT RITZ
3009
WATERLEAU
7TH WORLD WATER FORUM
3010
DELMA INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY
3011
ATMOSPHERIC WATER SOLUTIONS
ORGANISER OFFICE
HALL 3 www.internationalwatersummit.com
HALL 4
EXHIBITOR HELPDESK
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DAY 1
Q&A
Alan Thomson Managing Director
Abu Dhabi Sewerage & Services Company (ADSSC)
What are the best and most viable solutions to ensure water security in the arid regions of the GCC?
How far can efficient infrastructure and water security support economic growth in the GCC?
A: Firstly, the wise use of water is the priority.
A: Infrastructure is the backbone of any devel-
Water is still wasted in large quantities and the first step must be education and better controls. The UAE has taken a major step forward in 2015 by raising tariffs to more realistic levels and reducing subsidies. Water is not valued as a commodity by the general public and it is largely taken for granted. Other areas of action require more co-ordination from the key players, such as linking in with a sustainable agricultural policy. Our role at Abu Dhabi Sewerage & Services Company (ADSSC) of recycling water is relatively small in the context of the water cycle at only six to eight per cent volume, but nonetheless important.
oped economy. If there is no dependable water service then it is very difficult to attract investment into any region. Our STEP project, combined with the supporting infrastructure improvements and augmentation, is aimed precisely at supporting the emirate for future development and growth. The security of our system has improved consistently since our establishment in 2005 and when STEP is commissioned at the end of this year it will provide Abu Dhabi with a world-class sewerage service for generations to come.
How would you rate the UAE in terms of its approach to and adoption of sustainable water technologies and research?
A: Technologically, the UAE understands what can be done and is making moves towards improving co-operation between the different entities. It is difficult within the existing arrangements to progress at speed, but it is gratifying that we are at least moving in the right direction. In my view the sector needs an overseer who is powerful enough to be linked into the political environment and can take difficult decisions with respect to the water and wastewater sector, which may adversely impact on other interests on the short term, but deliver longer-term benefits to the region.
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How do you see water sustainability and availability in the region developing over coming years?
A: I would like to see more emphasis being focused on our regional strengths. The further development of solar power and other renewable energy sources should be developed with respect to the water sector and how the technologies can be applied successfully in the fields of treatment and collection. The growth of the region is unprecedented and it is challenging to maintain a consistent approach to sustainability within the dynamics played out in the sector. I can see that many improvements have taken place, but I believe some fundamental issues will need to be addressed to achieve the massive improvements that are possible. I am optimistic that the leaders of the region have the foresight
INTERNATIONAL WATER SUMMIT 19th January 2015
and courage to take these difficult decisions to ensure sustainability for future generations.
What are the major challenges of the water-energy nexus in the region and what steps are governments taking to address these?
A: I believe that high-level co-operation and co-ordination must be developed further and that well-thought-through policies should be reflected in action on the ground. We live in the driest region in the world and every drop of water should be regarded as precious. Although the sentiment is well understood, the challenge of changing behaviour is more complex and will take time. A combination of approaches is required to make it work and I am confident that we are moving in the right direction.
How important is IWS as a global and regional platform for the water management industry?
A: IWS provides a broad spectrum of representation from the global water sector. The exhibition and conference is now firmly established as a major industry event and allows experts, politicians and leaders from the sector to take part in the debate over the future of water in the region and beyond. There are very few events where this opportunity is available and it is vital that the topics are fully understood by key leaders in order that they can make well-informed decisions on the future of our water reserves and needs. www.internationalwatersummit.com
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