Dates Announced For IWS 2014 In Abu Dhabi As Global Community Commits To UN World Water Day
2nd International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi will be held from 20 - 22 January 2013 as a part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
On the occasion of the first UN World Water Day today (22 March), organizers of the International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi have announced the second edition of IWS will be held from 20 – 22 January 2014, part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and co-located with the World Future Energy Summit.
This year’s inaugural International Water Summit in January, hosted by Masdar with the strategic Partnership of ADWEA, was attended by over 4700 attendees from 75 countries and contributed significantly to addressing global water issues such as water scarcity in Arab regions, sustainable growth and economic development in arid regions, the future challenges of water availability and cross-boundary collaboration through international water governance and the water – energy nexus.
Ara Fernezian, Divisional Managing Director – UAE at Reed Exhibitions, organizer of the International Water Summit, said on the occasion of the UN World Water Day.
“The International Water Summit has close ties with UN Water which was a strong supporter of this year’s IWS, and we welcome the initiation of UN World Water Day 2013 which gives the global community a chance to participate in activities that raise awareness about the challenges facing water scarcity,” said Mr Fernezian.
“World Water Day 2013, as a part of UN Water’s International Year of Water Cooperation, is a significant event that focuses attention on the importance of freshwater and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.”
“For example, 85 per cent of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet and 783 million people do not have access to clean water. Water is an extremely important issue that the world cannot sit by and allow to worsen because it will impact on every single person on the planet,” said Mr Fernezian.
In January this year, the 1st International Water Summit brought together world leaders, government organizations, policymakers, public and private sector investors, business leaders, consultants, , experts, contractors and developers under one roof at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) to discuss, debate and display the latest thinking in water sustainability.
The conference proceedings at IWS 2013 were led by more than 110 of the world’s leading water experts from global organizations such as UN Habitat, the Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance (GWOPA), the World Bank, UN Water, the International Desalination Association, UNESCO, the Public Utilities Board Singapore, the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association and the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water.
Strong local support also came from event sponsors such as the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Board (ADWEA) and Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), Borouge Borealis, Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) and Regulation and Studies Bureau (RSB)
The conference was further supported by more than 162 exhibiting companies represented by 120 exhibitors from 20 countries who showcased the latest innovations and solutions in the water sustainability sector.
Ara Fernezian is confident that IWS 2014, from 20 – 22 January next year as a part of the 2nd Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, will be equally successful.
“We have had strong commitments from key stakeholders locally and internationally for IWS 2014, and with the increased awareness of water issues through the International Year of Water Cooperation and the UN’s World Water Day 2013 events, we expect even greater interest in the role that IWS is playing to finding solutions.”
More information about UN World Water Day 2013 can be found at www.unwater.org
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Date: Mar 21, 2013
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