IDA is Knowledge Partner for International Water Summit for the third year running

World’s leading desalination and water reuse association to play a prominent role at the region’s premier water sustainability event

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 22 December 2014: For the third consecutive year, the International Desalination Association (IDA) is a “knowledge partner” for the International Water Summit (IWS), which takes place in Abu Dhabi on January 19-22, 2015. The IDA’s regular presence at IWS demonstrates the event’s value as a forum for new thinking on integrated water resource management and a knowledge hub for innovators and entrepreneurs.

“IDA has supported IWS as a knowledge partner since the event’s inception,” said IDA Secretary General Patricia A. Burke. “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 precious 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.”

Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, IWS is a unique global platform for   promoting water sustainability in arid regions. The conference and exhibition brings together world leaders, field experts, leading members of academia, and business innovators to discuss the latest water technologies and the immense commercial potential of their application to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Entitled ‘Promoting Water Sustainability in Arid Regions,’ the IWS conference fosters innovation, best practice and collaboration to offer tangible solutions to accelerate the development of new sustainable water strategies and technologies.

IWS is a key element of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which also includes the eighth World Future Energy Summit, the second edition of EcoWASTE, and the seventh Zayed Future Energy Prize Award Ceremony in addition to the Fifth General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

“The IDA is the world’s  leading organization focused on desalination and advanced water reuse, and is well known for being a global resource for information, professional development and making business-building connections within the worldwide desalination and reuse industry,” said Naji El Haddad, event director of the International Water Summit. “Working with IDA ensures that the program’s panels on the important topic of desalination incorporate the latest trends and industry’s best thinking.”

IDA has a strong presence in the IWS conference program. On Day Two (January 20), IDA will present a stream of sessions focused on Energy Efficient and Clean Technology Desalination chaired by Leon Awerbuch, IDA director and past president, Dean – IDA Desalination Academy, and president, Leading Edge Technologies. Sessions include:

•    Case Study Desalination: Next Generation Renewable Energy Powered Desalination Pilot Project
•    Keynote Presentation: Opportunity to Enhance Energy Efficiency in the Saudi Desalination Sector
•    Panel Discussion on Desalination Energy & Environment Nexus
•    Panel Discussion on Sustainable Desalination and Advanced Water Reuse; Development and Trends Leading to Energy and Cost Reduction

In addition, IDA President Dr. Abdullah Al-Alshaikh will participate in a high-level panel discussion on “Taking a Unified Strategic Approach to Address the Challenges of the Water Energy Nexus.” This discussion will address:

•    Setting common objectives and targets for improvement
•    Creating an effective method for distribution of water and energy resources
•    Solving the interlinked challenges of urban water and energy to enable the growth of cities and businesses
•    Sharing urban solutions to improve utility performance

IDA also will be part of the IWS Exhibition (Booth 3210).

IWS is endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, the Regulation and Supervision Bureau and Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company. Reflecting the critical importance of secure water supplies for regional and global food security, a key focus of the event will be on innovative desalination projects that could ensure reliable water supplies through the use of energy-efficient technology.