International conference on water resources management lays out solutions for arid regions

The National Water and Energy Centre at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has organised the "Water Resources Management and Sustainability: Solutions in Dry Regions" conference at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The three-day conference, which concluded yesterday, was held under the patronage of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; and David Spears, Minister of Environment and Water of South Australia.

Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and Chancellor of UAEU, said that the conference aligns with the UAE's national principles for the future development of the country. It also addresses the United Nation's goal for sustainable clean water and sanitation development.

"Without enough high-quality water, we may not be able to achieve security of food supplies. Today, we gather delegates from 55 countries representing all five continents to discuss a vital topic to humankind's future sustainable development and prosperity. The very fact of the diversity and international reach of countries represented at this conference demonstrates that effective management of water resources is both a global concern and a mutual challenge,"

Dr. Ahmed Ali Murad, Associate Provost for Research and President of the Conference, stressed that the conference is in line with the university's vision to support development and the priorities of the UAE, the UAE Agenda for Advanced Sciences 2031, and the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036.

"This conference represents an important platform to share and present new insights and introduce innovative technologies and unconventional practices that will improve the future of water management and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. It will also help discover appropriate solutions to future challenges in water resource management and sustainability,"

Dr. Mohsen Sharif, Director of the National Water and Energy Centre, explained that the conference programme includes six interactive workshops presented by international experts and 132 keynote and oral presentations. Also, 32 poster presentations has been given on water harvesting, groundwater recharge, desalination technologies, wastewater treatment and reuse, and climate change.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, a field visit has been organised to the Rafisa Dam in Khor Fakkan The conference was held in cooperation with the Australian Pavilion and the South Australian Institute of Water Research.

News Source: Emirates News Agency