The IDRA World Congress takes place from October 20-24 in Dubai at the Dubai World Trade Centre and is hosted by DEWA

DUBAI, The United Arab Emirates, October 23, 2019 – The 2019 International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) World Congress, “Crossroads to Sustainability,” opened on Monday, October 21, in Dubai, UAE.

The much-anticipated World Congress opened with greetings from IDRA Secretary General, Ms. Shannon McCarthy, IDRA President, Mr. Miguel Angel Sanz, and World Congress Technical Program Committee Chairman, Mr. Imad Makhzoumi.

“As IDRA continues to grow, myself, the Board of Directors, and the IDRA team continue to work to strengthen engagement among stakeholders of the advanced water treatment industry,” said Ms. McCarthy in her opening remarks, addressing a room of over 1,000 delegates and VIPs. “We continuously strive to promote the solutions our community offers which ensure the right to clean and accessible water is fulfilled for all people.”

“We are honored to be back in the city of Dubai after 10 years,” added Mr. Miguel Angel Sanz. “Returning to the site of IDRA’s 2009 World Congress is a true testament to how much growth has occurred in the past decade, and how our industry’s visionary achievements continue to move forward.”

“This year’s technical program is one of the strongest in World Congress history,” said Mr. Imad Makhzoumi. “The research presented over the next four days will show the sector’s innovative progress and technological achievements with over 200 oral presentations in 10 topic tracks.”

After these welcoming remarks, the program saw two dynamic panel discussions. The first panel was moderated by Ms. Shannon McCarthy and featured members of IDRA’s Honorary Council who discussed “Honoring Lifetime Achievements and Progressive Visions,” considering how IDRA’s past can inform the future of both the Association and the industry itself. This discussion was followed by a panel celebrating “Women Leaders in the Water Industry.” Moderated by Mr. Borja Blanco, CEO of Aqua Advise, this panel consisted of some of the most dynamic women leaders in global water industry, including Hon. Fatma Awale, Minister of Water, Mombasa County, Dr. Miriam Balaban, Secretary General of EDS, Ms. Annelise Avril, CEO of SUEZ Consulting, Mrs. Menatalla Sadek, CEO of Hassan Allam Utilities, and Mrs. Hattie Wang, Vice President of Global Markets, ROPV.

The IDRA World Congress then heard a keynote address from Dr. Adriana Marais, Director of Foundation for Space Exhibition in South Africa. Entitled “Off-World: Above and Beyond,” this keynote explored possibilities of extraterrestrial sustainable solutions. Dr. Marais’ keynote was followed by His Excellency Khaled Al Qureshi, CEO of the Saudi Water Partnership Company, delivering remarks on “Progress Towards a Sustainable Water Sector in KSA.”

After these preliminary sessions, the World Congress witnessed the VIP Opening Ceremonies. Initiated by a prayer, these Opening Ceremonies included a welcome by His Highness, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). His Highness’ remarks were followed by IDRA President Mr. Sanz, who thanked the Dubai Water Electricity and Water Authority, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed al Tayer, and His Highness for their gracious generosity and support of IDRA and its mission within the water sector.

His Highness, His Excellency, and numerous others distinguished dignitaries and VIPs then inaugurated the World Congress’ Exhibition Hall with a VIP walkthrough, marking the official opening of both the Congress and the Exhibition Hall. Organizations exhibiting at the Congress from around the world were granted the honor of greeting the VIPs on their walkthrough.

With the VIP Opening Ceremonies complete, the World Congress’ program took off with four technical sessions of seven oral presentations each. These sessions were entitled “Pre-Treatment (Part 1),” “Material Corrosion, and ERD,” “From Mineral Recovery to Remineralization,” and “Thermal Desalination (Part 1),” and featured experts from around the world presenting their peer-reviewed research.

Running in parallel with these technical sessions was IDRA’s first-ever Leaders Summit, specifically the Leaders with Community Program. The Leaders with Community part of the Summit was open to all Congress delegates, featuring keynote addresses by influential leaders such as His Excellency, Julio Cesar Kosaka, Vice Minister of Construction and Sanitation, Peru, Dr. Gonzalo Delacamara, Global Water Economist, EU, Spain, and Mr. Peter Joo Hee NG, Chief Executive, Singapore PUB. The Leaders with Community Summit concluded with a panel discussion on “Survival or Sustainability: The Role of Advanced Water Treatment Solutions.” This panel was moderated by Dr. Delacamara and comprised of distinguished panelists such as Mr. Jean Francois Nogrette, CEO of Veolia Water Technologies, His Excellency Khaled Al Qureshi, CEO of the Saudi Water Partnership Company, Mr. Carlos Cosin, CEO of Almar Water Solutions, Mr. Nasser Lootah, EVP G (P&W) of DEWA, Mr. Peter Joo Hee NG, Chief Executive PUB Singapore, and Mr. Jose Diaz Caneja, CEO of Acciona.