Had it not been for the black gold’s attention-grabbing boom, the Middle East might have been notorious for its efforts to solve the water scarcity conundrum.
According to the UN, water use has been growing at twice the rate of population growth in the last century. Environmental factors such as climate change, the industrialization and urbanization of growing economies, and human activities like mass consumption, misuse and pollution, have put the global water supplies under enormous stress. It is estimated that by 2025, more than 1.8 billion people will be living in countries with absolute water scarcity – a problem that is exacerbated in arid regions like the Middle East.
Although the word “arid” brings to mind vast stretches of scorching hot desert, in reality the term applies not only to the Middle East and Africa, but also to parts of Europe, Australia, south-East Asia, as well as the US.
Water is not only vital for every living being. It is also associated with a country’s social and economic development. Thus when it comes to arid regions, finding solutions to water-scarcity is less of a “green cause” and more of a pressing necessity.
“This is precisely why we came up with the Sustainable Solutions Village”, says Peter McConnell, Show Director of the inaugural International Water Summit (IWS) that will take place from 15-17 January in Abu Dhabi. “We wanted to create a space where people can find out how these regions are trying to solve their water problems, to offer them the opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and know-how, to inspire and be inspired”.
The Sustainable Solutions Village is a feature of the IWS Exhibition, which will be running for the duration of the International Water Summit. The village will be divided into two areas; one is dedicated to water solutions for rural communities and the other is a presentation space that will showcase regional water sector best practice.
“We have confirmed the participation of some of the world’s most prominent water sector entities, such as the United Nations Development Programme and the Environmental Outreach Division of EAD”, Mr McConnell says. “We have also included a number of lively panel discussions and interactive sessions to engage visitors and encourage interaction. It is a unique opportunity for anyone involved with water and energy, directly or indirectly. All these people are bringing in their expertise and experience to help tackle one of the planet’s biggest problems”.
Abdulaziz Alhajri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Polymers Company, part of Borouge & Borealis, points out that water plays a vital part in food production – an issue that is critical to rural communities who rely heavily on growing their own crops for economic growth, and, in some cases, even survival.
“Agriculture uses 80% of the fresh water. By 2050, the demand for food is projected to increase by 70 per cent and, without intervention, untenable pressure on water resources in many regions in the world will threaten food and water security.”
“Clearly we need to work together to increase the water-efficiency of food production, or more ‘crops per drop’, and cut the high level of waste within the food chain”, Mr Alhajri concludes.
The International Water Summit (IWS) is hosted by Masdar, with Borouge and Borealis being the principal sponsor, and Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority a strategic partner.
IWS will be co-located with the World Future Energy Summit, also hosted by Masdar, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (13 – 17 January 2013), alongside the International Renewable Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi (ADIREC) and the 3rd session of the Assembly of IRENA.
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