Non-Conventional Water Resources:

Business Opportunities

Convened by
Under the Patronage of:

Active Water Projects Worth Over $76 Billion in the GCC

Partners

2023 Event Partners

United Arab Emirates
Ministry of Energy
& Infastructure

Ministry of
Water Resources
Algeria

Electricity & Water
Authority
Bahrain

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment, Territory Planning and
Urban Comoros

Ministry of Agriculture,
Water, Fisheries
and Livestock
Djibouti

Ministry of Water
Resource and Irrigation
Egypt

Ministry of Water Resource
Iraq

Ministry of Water
and Irrigation
Jordan

Ministry of Electricity
and Water
Kuwait

Ministry of
Energy and Water
Lebanon

Ministry of
Water and Sanitation
Mauritania

Ministry of
Water Resources
Libya

Minister of Energy, Mines and Environment
Morocco

Ministry of Regional Municipalities
& Water
Resources Oman

Water
Authority
Palestine

General Electricity
& Water Corporation
Qatar

Ministry of Water,
Environment and Agriculture
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Energy
and Water Resources
Somalia

Ministry of Water Resources,
Irrigation and Electricity
Sudan

Ministry of
Water Resources
Syria

Minister of Agriculture, 
Water Resources
and Fisheries Tunisia

Ministry of
Water & Environment
Yemen

Welcome

Event Overview 2023 :

The Arab Water Conventions are part of a series of regional events organized by the Arab Water Council to address a specific water priority issue in the Arab region, thus responding to the region’s rapidly changing water challenges. The aim of the Arab Water Conventions is to provide a platform to exchange state-of-the-art technologies, advanced applications, and successful practices for facing the rapidly increasing water challenges.

The 2023 edition was dedicated to address the use of non-conventional water resources (NCWR) as a strategic solution and explore the wealth of emerging opportunities for business and innovation in the water resources sector. The Convention was also an exclusive opportunity to foster business connections between a wide spectrum of prominent water stakeholders from different Arab countries and regional and international partners.

The event generated a multi-stakeholder dialogue and offered an opportunity to promote the most efficient investment choices, exchanged knowledge, shared best practices, and ensured a qualified transfer of experiences on emerging NCWR-related issues in different country contexts in the Arab region.

About Arab Water Convention

The Arab Water Convention is part of a series of regional events organized by the Arab Water Council to address a specific water priority issue in the Arab region, thus responding to the region’s rapidly changing water challenges. The aim of the Arab Water Convention is to provide a platform to exchange state-of-the-art technologies, advanced applications, and successful practices for facing the rapidly increasing water challenges. The 2023 edition is dedicated to address the use of Non-Conventional Water Resources (NCWR) as a strategic solution and explore wealth of emerging opportunities for business and innovation in the water resources sector. The Convention will also be an exclusive opportunity to foster business connections between a wide spectrum of prominent water stakeholders from different Arab countries and regional and international partners.

The event will generate a multi-stakeholder dialogue and will offer an opportunity to promote the most efficient investment choices, to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and ensure a qualified transfer of experiences on emerging NCWR-related issues in different country contexts in the Arab region.

Welcome

Welcome Message

H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid
H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid President,
Arab Water Council
The world nowadays lives in an era with a lot of tension and conflicts, economic imbalance, ecosystem degradation, and climate change-induced challenges, including droughts, floods, heat, and cold waves, among others. We are learning that water is not only an environmental factor, but a basic human need, evoking social, economic, cultural, institutional, scientific and political issues.
By 2030, the effects of climate change will also take a toll on the challenge of water security, possibly reducing renewable water resources by a further 20%. Hence, there is a need for increased understanding about the importance of water, not only for human survival, but also for sustainable development.
In light of the increasing water deficit and the projections of continuous growth in water demand in the next years, advancing the non-conventional water resources (NCWR) agenda in an integral and cross-cutting manner has become an irreplaceable strategic option for the future to achieve more sustainable water security in the Arab Region.
More than ever, the dialogue between different actors is now required for exploring pioneering solutions and for the mobilization of public and private actions in order to promote better water resource quality and ensure sustainability. Investment in new projects stands as an urgent matter, while making finances available represents a key challenge in implementing government plans.
The Arab Water Convention will foster a dialogue to promote cooperation and partnership between governments, the private sector, financing institutions and civil society, with support from international development agencies to unlock the financing challenge. The Convention is intended to bring all these parties together to explore opportunities for new business models and create business connections among a wide spectrum of high-level decision-makers. Along with the Convention, a world-class Water Expo, is to be held to showcase state-of-the-art technologies, innovative solutions, and modern equipment.
The Arab Water Council is looking forward to all participants’ active participation in the Convention to obtain best possible results from this prestigious event, with tangible outcomes and worthwhile out-of-the-box solutions for the benefit of all.

Arab Water Convention
2023 in Numbers

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Attendees
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Supporting partners
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Presentations
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Speakers
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Interactive sessions
0
Sponsors and exhibitors
0
Media partners
0
Panel discussions

VIP

VIP Speakers

H.E. Hani Sewilam

Minister of Water Resources & Irrigation

Egypt
H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit

Secretary-General,
League of Arab States

H.E. Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid

President,
Arab Water Council

H.E Dr.Amani Sulaiman Bu Qammaz

Minister of Electricity,
Water and Renewable Energy

Kuwait
H.E. Ali Ibrahim Al-Maliki

Assistant Secretary-General, League of Arab States

H.E Eng. Sharif Alolama

Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

UAE
H.E. Ali bin Mohamed AL Abri

Deputy Minister
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources

Sultanate of Oman
Dr. Alain Elayi

ADVISORS

Government Representatives &
Advisory Committee

Dr. Sayed Ismail

Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities for Infrastructure

Egypt
Dr. Mohamed AlMulla

Director of Water Resources Department, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

United Arab Emirates
Eng. Metaab Al-Qahtani

General Director Department of Water Resources Development, Ministry of Water & Electricity

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dr. Fadi Comair

Director-General, Water & Electricity Resources, Ministry of Electricity and Water

Lebanon
Eng. Maha Al-Asousi

Under secretary at Ministry
of Electricity and Water

Kuwait
Eng. Jihad Mounir Kanaan

Director of International Waters and Dams, Ministry of Water Resources

Syrian Arab Republic
Dr. Abdel-Aziz Bin Ali Almushekhy

General Manager, Water Resources Evaluation & Continuation Dept, Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Water Resources

Sultanate of Oman
Prof. Abdel Aziz AL-Turbak

Board Member, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mr. Nasser Nasrallah

President - Ibrahim Abdel Al Foundation (IAAF) for Sustainable Development

Lebanon
Dr. Mohamed Dawood

Water Resources Advisor, Environment Agency

ABU DHABI, UAE
Eng. Moza Al Neimi

Director of Productivity & Demand, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

UAE
Mr. Mohammad Al Dwairi

Project Management Engineer, Ministry of Water & Irrigation

Jordan
Eng. Amr Adawy

Water Treatment Manager,
Abu Qir Fertilizers

Egypt
Dr. Tarek Al-Samman

Technical Consultant

Arab Water Council

ORGANIZATION

International and Regional
Organization Representatives

Prof. Walid Abderrahman

Vice President Arab Water Council & Chairman of ACWA Holding

KSA
Dr. Aly Abou Sabaa

CGIAR Regional Director, Central, West Asia & North Africa (CWANA), and Director-General, ICARDA

Amb. Almotaz Abadi

UFM Deputy Secretary General

H.E Prof. Ibrahim Adam El Dukheri

Director General, Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD)

Prof. Siddig Eissa

Unesco chair holder, UNESCO chair in water resources- Omdurman Islamic universit

Dr. Youssef Brouziyne

Regional Representative and CGIAR Water System Lead, MENA Region · International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Dr. Saleh Bakr Altayar

President,
Centre D’Études Euro – Arab

France
Prof. Khaled Abuzeid

Regional Director for Water Resources, CEDARE& Regional Director of Technical Programs, Arab Water Council

H.E. Dr. Hussein El-Atfy

Secretary-General, Arab Water Council

Ms. Paola Pagliani

Regional Programme Coordinator, UNDP

Mr. Teodoro Estrela Monreal

Director General of Water, Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge

Spain
Dr. Jean D’Cunha

Senior Global Advisor on International Migration,
UN Women

Prof. Waleed Hassan Abou El Hassan

Senior Natural Resources Officer
(Water Resources Management), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Dr. Vinay Nangia

Global Research Program Leader – Soil, Water, and Agronomy

Dr. Kamel Amer

Head of Middle Region Office,
Arab Organization for Agricultutre Development (AOAD)

Dr. Martina Jaskolski

UNDP Climate Consultant, Arab Water Council

Dr. Amel Azab

SDG Climate Facility Project Coordinator, Arab Water Council

Omar Farook

Specialist, Early Aciton and Climate Services, World Food Programme

Nora Isayan

Regional Communication Specialist, UN Development Programme (UNDP), Regional Hub for Arab States

Ms. Yara El Nagdi

Program Officer Climate Change Children and Youth Network Coordinator Arab Water Council

Ms. Carmen Megariños

Director Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)

Roula Majdalani

Consultant - Climate Change Advisor - Director General Office, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

Ms. Mona Ghalayini

Chairwoman-Founder of Arab Society for Environment and Sustainable Development,

ASEND
Dr. Khalil Ammar

Program Leader, Sustainable Natural Resources Management,

ICBA

FINANCING

Financing Agency Representatives

Dr. Amgad Elmahdi

Water Sector Lead, Green Climate Fund-GCF

Mrs Gelsomina Vigliotti

Vice President, European Investment Bank (EIB)

Mohammed Youssef Mehany

PPP Transaction Advisory
International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Mr. Lars Anwandter

Senior Loan Officer, European Investment Bank (EIB)

Dr. Dalia Abdel-Kader

Chief Sustainability Officer, Commercial International Bank (CIB)

Representatives

Public & Private Sector Representatives

Eng. Abed Ezz El Regal

Chairman and Managing Director,
Abu Qir Fertilizers

Sunil S. Nair

CEO, UTICO

Dr. Mohamed Raouf A. Darwish

Treasurer, CEO - Darwish Consulting Engineers

Egypt
Eng. Ahmed Fathy

CEO, Watex

Antonio Quintana

Head of wastewater and reuse UAE, Aqualia

Samer Muhandes

Drainage Design Product Manager, Autodesk

Chrystelle Ourzik

WAMEA Regional Manager,
Infrastructure sector,
Esri Global

Martin Renck

Chief Strategy Officer,
Founder and Partner at Wayout International

Dr. Alain Elayi

Director,
Scientechnix

Rory Weaver

Director of Marketing and Business Development, FEDCO

Dr. Fatma Badawy

CEO, Engineering Smart Solutions Company (ESSCo.)

Prof. Jaouad Zemmouri

President, Terrao

Eoardo Riccio

CEO, Newlisi

Elena Beresneva

Partner Universal link trading llc

Representatives

Research Institution Representatives

Dr. Tarifa A. Alzaabi

Director General, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)

Dr. Roula Khadra

Senior Researcher/International Officer, Water Resources Management and Planning,
CIHEAM Bari Institute

Prof. Safwat Abdel Dayem

National Water Research Center

Egypt
Ms. heba El Sahn

Senior Policy and Training Associate,
J-PAL Middle East and North Africa

Mr. Malek Sarieddine

Regional Business Development Manager – Middle East ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)

Dr. Augusto Becerra

Chief Scientist, ICBA

Main Themes 

Priority Areas and Main Themes

General Theme: “Non-Conventional Water Resources: Business Opportunities”

There are countless investment opportunities in the water innovation sector. Following this perspective, it has become a must not an option to explore innovative solutions along the water and wastewater cycle. This includes learning how to turn challenges into business opportunities and how to develop and support impactful businesses in the NCWR sector. As water is tied to key social issues, there are important synergies between water-related business and social entrepreneurship. Unleashing the region’s entrepreneurial potential in the NCWR sector means identifying opportunities, supporting financing innovation, bridging the gap for integration, and leveraging synergies.

The Convention will focus on four main themes to achieve its objectives, namely:

The event is viewed as an accelerator for the uptake of NCWR in the region. It targets high-level decision-makers, planners, investors, managers, technical experts, industrial engineers, academia, researchers and specialists in different water related disciplines. Gender empowerment and youth participation will be an important cross-cutting component of the Convention.
Program Outline & Session Modality
The Arab Water Convention will host a two-day program including plenary and interactive technical sessions to present and discuss real actions on the ground, highlighting challenges, achievements, lessons learnt and opportunities to upscale successes. In parallel with the technical sessions, a world-class Water Expo will be organized showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in four key sectors: desalination technologies, storm water management, water and sanitation networks, irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment solutions. The 2-day program is intended to have an innovative format that is fast, engaging, interactive, and fosters mutual exploration of investment opportunities. It will be an occasion to thoroughly tackle such critical water-related topics, including in-depth projection of future actions, with special focus on creating enabling environment for business opportunities. The schedule is packed with business pitches, interactive sessions, panel discussions, workshops aimed at designing solutions, innovative methodologies, as well as numerous product demos and valuable on-site learning opportunities. The Convention will address important NCWR-related issues including, among others, the following topics:

1

Green and Sustainable Desalination (Future of Desalination)

2

Industrial and Municipal Wastewater Treatment

3

Digitization and Process Control Solutions (AI, Digital Twin Technology, Software)

4

Atmospheric Water Generators

5

Water Reuse for Irrigation and Agriculture

6

Circular and Green Economies

7

Artificial Intelligence

The program will continue over two days. To guarantee maximum possible interaction between participants with different backgrounds talking about a common objective and variety of challenges, the agenda is designed to include different types of sessions. The overall tentative agenda is shown hereafter:

Agenda

7:30-8:30 Registration (VIP Briefing for Opening Ceremony Speakers at 8:00)
8:30-10:00 Opening Ceremony
  • H.E. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, President, Arab Water Council
  • H.E. Eng. Sharif Salim Alolama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, United Arab Emirates
  • H.E. Dr. Amani Salman Abdelwahab Bokmaz, Minister of Water Resources, Electricity, and Renewable Energy, Kuwait
  • H.E. Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice President, European Investment Bank (EIB)
  • H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, , Secretary-General Represented by H.E. Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki, Assistant Secretary-General, League of Arab States
  • Introduction to the Event Program by H.E. Dr. Hussein El Atfy, Secretary General, Arab Water Council
10:00-10:45 Ribbon Cutting and Opening of Exhibition Water-Expo Idea Booth
Networking and Coffee Break
10:45-12:00 Panel 1: Effective Governance Frameworks to Advance NCWR Convened by CIHEAM Bari
Welcome by Moderator: Dr. Amel Azab, Water Resources Management & Capacity Development Expert, SDG Climate Facility Project Coordinator, Technical Department, AWC
Presentation by UTICO
  • Sunil S. Nair, CEO and Director, UTICO
Panelists:
  • Prof. Walid Abdelrahman, Vice president, Arab water council (AWC)
  • Mr. Mohammad Al Dwairi, Project Management Engineer, Ministry of Water & Irrigation, Jordan
  • Dr. Waleed Abu El Hassan, Senior Water Resources Management, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE)
  • Mr. Teodoro Estrela Monreal, Director General of Water, Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Spain (Recorded Video)
Q&A
12:00-13:30 Panel 2: Financing New, Bankable NCWR-Business Opportunities, Convened by ICARDA
Welcome by Moderator: Dr. Amgad El Mahdi,Water Sector Senior Specialist Division Mitigation Adaptation, Green Climate Fund
Presentation by ESRI: The geographic approach for water security and sustainable development goals
  • Chrystelle Ourzik, WAMEA Regional Manager, Infrastructure sector, Esri Global
Panelists:
  • Mr. Almotaz Abadi, Deputy Director General, Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)
  • Eng. Moza Al Neimi, Director of Productivity & Demand, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE
  • Dr. Dalia Abdel-Kader, Chief Sustainability Officer, Commercial International Bank (CIB)
Sager Gawade, Project Finance Specialist, UTICO
  • Mr. Mohamed Mehany, PPP Specialist, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
  • Dr. Aly Abousabaa, Regional Director, Central and West Asia and North Africa, CGIAR /Director General, ICARDA
Q&A
13:30-14:30 Lunch Break
14:30-16:00 Interactive Session 1: Short Pitches – Smart NCWR: From Idea to Business Convened by AWC
Welcome by Moderator: Prof.Fadi Comair, Director of EEWRC (Energy, Environment, Water & Research Centre) of the Cyprus Institute
Presentation by Aqualia: From wastewater to high-added value products: Reclaimed water, energy and Food.
  • Antonio Quintana, Head of wastewater and reuse UAE, Aqualia
  1. TerraoPur provides cold water with low energy cost and without risk of legionella.
    • Prof. Jaouad Zemmouri, President, Terrao
  2. Eoardo Riccio, CEO, Newlisi
  3. Elena Beresneva, Partner Universal Link Trading LLC
Private Sector Innovation Tech Pitches – How to Take a NCWR Solution from Idea to Business? Examples of Successful, Innovative, and Green Businesses
Moderated Commentary by Expert Panel
  • Eng. Mohamed Al Mulla, Director, Water Resources, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE
  • H.E. Prof. Ibrahim El-Dukheri, Director General, Arab Organization for Agriculture Development (AOAD)
  • Dr. Fatma Badawy, CEO, Engineering Smart Solutions Company (ESSCo.)
  • Dr. Dalia Abdel-Kader, Chief Sustainability Officer, Commercial International Bank ( CIB)
  • Mr. Nasser Nasrallah, President, Ibrahim AbdelAl Foundation for Sustainable Development (IAAF)
  • Dr. Mohamed Dawood, Water Resources Advisor, Environment Agency – ABU DHABI, UAE
  • Samer Muhandes, Drainage Design Product Manager, Autodesk
  • Q&A
    16:00-17:15 Panel 3: High-Level Panel on Climate Finance and NCWR Convened by UNDP & AWC
    Presentation by Wayout International: Future proof drinking water
    • Martin Renck, Chief Strategy Officer, Founder and Partner at Wayout International
    Welcome by Moderator Ms. Nora Isayan, Regional Communication Specialist, UNDP
    Opening Remarks by H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, AWC
    Panelists:
    • Ms. Paola Pagliani, Regional Programme Coordinator, UNDP
    • Dr. Amel Azab, SDG Climate Facility Project Coordinator, AWC
    • Mr. Omar Farook, Specialist, Early Aciton and Climate Services, WFP
    • Dr. Amgad El Mahdi, Water Sector Senior Specialist Division Mitigation Adaptation, Green Climate Fund
    • Mr. Malek Sarieddine, Regional Business Development Manager – Middle East ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
    17:15-17:45 Panel 4: Take-Aways from Day 1 Convened by International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
    Chair: Prof. Walid Abdelrahman, Vice President, AWC
    Welcome by Moderator: Dr. Roula Khadra, International Officer, Senior Researcher, Science Co-ordinator , CIHEAM – BARI
    Panelists:
    • Dr. Vinay Nangia, Global Research Program Leader – Soil, Water, and Agronomy, International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
    Sager Gawade, Project Finance Specialist, UTICO
    • Dr. Youssef Brouziyne, Regional Representative & CGIAR Water System Lead – MENA Region, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
    • Prof. Walid Abdelrahman, Vice President, AWC
    8:30-9:00 Morning Coffee and Innovation Pitches at the Exhibition Water-Expo
    09:00-11:00 Interactive Session 2: High-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on NCWR: Challenges and Needs,
    Convened by International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)
    Welcome by Moderators: Mrs. Yara El Nagdi, Program Officer – Climate Change and Water Economics, AWC
    Presentation by Autodesk Innovyze: Leveraging Digital Twin Solutions across the water cycle in the face of climate change
    • Samer Muhandes, Drainage Design Product Manager – Autodesk
    Introductory Statement by Dr. Augusto Becerra, Chief Scientist, ICBA
    Explanation by Moderator and Movement to the Breakout Rooms
    4 Working Groups (Government & International Organizations, Financing Institutions, Private Sector, Research & Civil Society)
    • Prof. Khaled Abouzeid, Senior Regional Water Resources Director, Center For Environment & Development For The Arab Region & Europe (CEDARE) (Technical Group Lead) (Government / International Organization)
    • Dr. Kamel Amer, Head of Middle Region Office, Arab Organization for Agricultutre Development (AOAD) (Session Reporter on Group Outputs) (Government and International Organizations)
    • Eng. Amr Adawy, Managing Director Assistant for Technical Affairs, Abu Qir (Technical Group Lead) (Private Sector)
    • Eng. Ahmed Fathy,CEO, Watex (Session Reporter on Group Outputs) (Private Sector)
    • Dr. Amgad El Mahdi, Water Sector Senior Specialist, Division of Mitigation and Adaptation, Green Climate Fund (Technical Group Lead) (Financing Institutions)
    • Ms. Heba El Sahn, Senior Policy and Training Associate, J-PAL (Session Reporter on Group Outputs) (Financing Institutions)
    • Dr. Jean D’Cunha, Senior Global Advisor on International Migration, UN Women (Technical Group Lead) (Research and Civil Society)
    • Dr. Roula Khadra, International Officer, Senior Researcher, Science Co-ordinator, CIHEAM – BARI (Session Reporter on Group Outputs) (Research and Civil Society)
    Presentation of Results, Panel of 4 (One Representative of Each Group)
    Q&A
    Idea Booth
    11:00-13:30 Interactive Session 3: Working Groups – Promoting New NCWR- Business Opportunities: Developing Strategic and Innovative Project Ideas (With Coffee)
    Convened by Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab ( J-PAL)
    Presentation by Scientechnix: MUDT, a groundbreaking new desalination technology, patented from USA, China, India, EPO.
    • Dr. Alain Elayi, Director, Scientechnix
    Welcome by The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
    • Moderator: Dr. Martina Jaskolski, UNDP Climate Consultant, AWC
    • Mr. Lars Anwandter, Senior Loan Officer, European Investment Bank (EIB)
    • Prof. Khaled AbuZeid, Senior Regional Water Resources Director, CEDARE
    • Mr. Mohamed Mehany, PPP Specialist, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
    • Eng. Abed Ezz El-Regal, Chairman, Abu Qir Fertilizers Company, Egypt
    • Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director-General at International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) (Recorded Video)
    Video: Financing NCWR Solutions for Climate Security (AWC)
    Introduction of Working Group Activity by Moderator
    Working Groups – New Business Opportunities: Developing Strategic Project Ideas (Mixed Tables, Coffee Break Served in Room)
    Discussion of Outcomes
    13:30-14:30 Lunch Break Arab Water Council – 21st Board of Governors Meeting
    14:30-17:15 Interactive Session 4: Design Thinking Challenge (Future Lab),
    Convened by Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)/ Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)
    Welcome by the Moderator: Dr. Martina Jaskolski, UNDP Climate Consultant, AWC
    Presentation by FEDCO
    • Rory Weaver, Director of Marketing and Business Development, FEDCO
    • Mr. Almotaz Abadi, Deputy Director General, Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)
    • Ms. Carmen Megariños, Director Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)
    8 Breakout Groups: Workshopping Solutions Using Design Thinking Techniques
    • Ms. Roula Majdalani, Climate Change Advisor, ICARDA (Group Spokesperson, Group 1)
    • Dr. Mustafa Fares, Secretary General, Ministry of Water, Morocco (Group Spokesperson, Group 2)
    • Ms. Victoria Tur Gómez, AECID (Group Spokesperson, Group 3)
    • Mr. Lars Anwandter, Senior Loan Officer, European Investment Bank (EIB) (Group Spokesperson, Group 4)
    • Ms. Mona Ghalayini, Chairwoman Founder of Arab Society for Environment and Sustainable Development, ASEND (Group Spokesperson, Group 5)
    • Dr. Khalil Ammar, Program Leader, Sustainable Natural Resources Management, ICBA (Group Spokesperson, Group 6)
    • Prof. Dr. Ahmed Khater, Emiritus Professor, National Water Research Center (Group Spokesperson, Group 7)
    • Ms. Heba El Sahn, Senior Policy and Training Associate, J-Pal (Group Spokesperson, Group 8)
    2 min Pitches of Each Group to Present Solutions, Discussion of Results
    Discussion: Integrating the Proposed Solutions
    17:15-18:00 Closing Panel: Presentation of Outcomes, Workshop Outputs, Highlights from Idea Booth
    • Chair: Prof. Walid Abdel Rahman, Vice President, Arab Water Council (AWC)
    • Moderator: H.E. Dr. Hussein El- Atfy, Secretary General, Arab Water Council (AWC)
    Part 1: Key Messages
      • Prof. Safwat Abdeldayem, Arab Water Council (AWC)
      • H.E. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Former Foreign Minister, Sudan
      • H.E. Hussein Abdelamir Baga, Technical Deputy Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, Iraq
      • H.E. Ali bin Mohamed AL Abri, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Sultanate of Oman
    Part 2: Closing Remarks
    • H.E. Eng. Sharif Salim Alolama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affair, United Arab Emirates
    • H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abouzeid, President, Arab Water Council

    Session Modalities

    Day 1, Feb. 20th, 2023

    The moderated panel discussion (Panel 1: Effective Governance Frameworks to Advance NCWR) is a fast-paced, scripted panel discussion in which the panelists are asked two rounds of questions. The questions are shared and discussed with the panelists prior to the event, and the panelists share their talking points with the moderator before the event.

    Background
    The session addresses effective governance frameworks in the context of upscaling NCWR across the MENA region. The implementation and enhanced uptake of NCWR requires work at various levels, including political, economic, financial, technical, and cultural. This panel will address the question of how policy-makers can create an enabling political environment for the large-scale implementation of NCWR in the countries of the region through targeted and strategic governance approaches and systems.
    Session Objectives

    1. Identify the current political and governance situation regarding NCWR in the region.
    2. Discuss some of the challenges governments face in creating an enabling environment for NCWR in the region.
    3. Report on some successful case studies of political and governance initiatives to advance the uptake and upscaling of NCWR in the MENA region.

    Thematic Scope of the Session
    The session will address a variety of political instruments and governance mechanisms that can help create an enabling environment for a large-scale roll-out of NCWR in the countries of the region. These might include: Financial and tax incentives, regulatory frameworks, innovative Public-Private-People-Partnerships (PPPPs), collaborations and working groups between different ministries, support structures for start-up companies, conditions for the import and export of relevant technologies, innovative infrastructure developments, and public awareness campaigns on NCWR.
    Expected Session Outcomes

    1. Identification of challenges in the governance sector regarding the large-scale implementation and support of NCWR.
    2. Lessons learnt on successful and failed approaches by governments to create an enabling environment for the uptake of NCWR.
    3. Overview of possible government tools and mechanisms.
    4. An outlook into the future of NCWR in the region from a government perspective.
    Same as Panel 1, this moderated panel discussion is a fast-paced, scripted panel discussion in which the panelists are asked two rounds of questions. The questions are shared and discussed with the panelists prior to the event, and the panelists share their talking points with the moderator before the event. Background A large-scale uptake and implementation of NCWR across the region needs considerable public and private investment. This session will explore how new, bankable NCWR-Business opportunities can be financed. The focus here is on innovative financing products and mechanisms, the kinds of partnerships needed to develop and implement such mechanisms, and the success stories from the region that can help inform initiatives in other places. Session Objectives
    1. Identify the financing needs for new, bankable projects.
    2. Evaluate the gap between existing financing tools and needed tools and mechanisms.
    3. Present successful case studies from the region.
    4. Provide a future outlook for financing innovation in the NCWR sector.
    Thematic Scope of the Session Upscaling and implementing NCWR on a large scale across the region require bankable business and project ideas that can be financed. The panel will discuss who can finance such projects and how, what financing products and mechanisms are on the market, and what mechanisms might be needed from the perspective of different panelists to speed up the uptake of NCWR in the region. Expected Session Outcomes
    1. Existing financing tools and mechanisms are identified.
    2. The needs for new financing tools and mechanisms are defined.
    3. Possible ways to improve and increase financing mechanisms are proposed.

    Time for innovation! The short pitches session or “shark tank” is an interactive session during which innovative businesses working in the NCWR sector in the region pitch their innovations in 3 minutes under the following theme: “How to Take a NCWR Solution from Idea to Business?”. The Business pitches will be commented on by an expert jury as well as the audience. The session will also provide short introductions to innovations presented in the exhibition.

    Session Objectives

    1. Giving the floor to businesses and start-up companies active in the sector.
    2. Listening to a broad range of examples of innovation and entrepreneurship.
    3. Promoting and supporting innovation and out-of-the-box ideas.
    4. Learning from each other and generating an atmosphere of sharing and mutual support.

    Expected Session Outcomes

    1. An overview of innovative business ideas and start-up ventures in the field of NCWR in the region.
    2. An evaluation of the types of innovation that are present and needed in order to advance the sector.
    3. An outlook for the types of support and enabling environment that such innovations need.

    Background
    The Arab region is experiencing a greater than average temperature increase. In fact, the region saw its worst drought cycle in a millennium from 2007-2017 which exacerbated social vulnerabilities, threatening food and water security, and environmental fragility. COP27 and on the road to COP28, both held in the region, are opportunities for moving from negotiations to implementation, where resilience building, and climate adaptation deserve a top focus. In the Arab region, this includes scaled up finance for accelerating climate resilient food and water systems, including promoting the use of Non-Conventional Water Resources, empowering women, and advancing climate resilient recovery solutions.

    The ‘SDG-Climate Facility: Climate Action for Human Security’ project, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and UNDP, focuses on the role that climate action can play in addressing the impacts of climate change, while also triggering results and progress across the SDGs, thereby improving human security in the Arab region. It serves as a multi-partner platform that brings UNDP together with the League of Arab States, Arab Water Council, WFP, UNEP FI, UNDRR and UN-Habitat aiming to accelerate action on the SDGs through contributing to research, policy, implementation of innovative pilot interventions, and knowledge generation, which address the climate-SDGs-crisis nexus under the umbrella concept of climate security.

    Session Objectives

    1. Critically reflect on the links between climate security and water security and the way in which the work of the SDG-Climate Facility project partners has helped to understand and advance tangible policy and community-based solutions for the Arab region.
    2. Showcase how research-informed climate action can be scaled up by private finance to influence policy.
    3. Formulate recommendations for investment and funding opportunities in research, policy work and on-ground action that will be fed into the global dialogues on climate security and water security at COP28 and other conversations in the lead up.
    4. Highlight the need for new and innovative partnerships for sustainable financing of climate and water security solutions, including the use and management of Non-Conventional Water Resources.

     

    Thematic Scope of the Session

    The 60-minute panel discussion aligns with the dialogues of COP27 on promoting and strengthening climate action in the context of water security, by showcasing how research in climate-SDGs-crisis nexus can support the design and implementation of innovative climate solutions and inform policy recommendations. It also highlights the significant role that private climate finance can play, in scaling up efforts and solutions that foster water and climate security to benefit the people of the Arab States. The panellists will also discuss the important role non-conventional water resources can play in fostering climate resilience at national and local levels.

    The summary of Day 1 activities and outlook towards Day 2 will be performed in a panel format.
    Day 2, Feb. 21st, 2023
    The goal of the stakeholder dialogue is to identify challenges and needs of different stakeholder groups in the context of upscaling NCWR solutions across the region. In the Stakeholder Dialogue, the participants are split into groups of 15-30 participants each to jointly work on a series of tasks and questions that are designed to foster dialogue within the group. The room will be divided into 4 sections, so seating needs to be arranged by group. Session Objectives
    1. Creating an environment in which stakeholder groups can discuss their challenges and needs.
    2. Bringing together the needs of different stakeholder groups.
    3. Learning what issues need to be addressed in future NCWR initiatives.
    Expected Session Outcomes
    1. An understanding of the situations and needs of different stakeholder groups in the NCWR landscape.
    2. Identifying challenges in the uptake and upscaling of NCWR solutions in the MENA region.
    3. Identifying the needs of different stakeholder groups when it comes to generating an enabling environment for the large-scale roll-out and implementation of NCWR solutions.

    The Working Group Session is intended to be a casual and interactive session for matchmaking and networking that is designed to discuss new NCWR-business opportunities. It brings together different types of participants at informal coffee tables, thus facilitating conversations and innovative, green ideas for new NCWR projects. The session will begin with presentations of pipeline projects, investment and implementation opportunities in the NCWR sector across different countries in the region.

    Session Objectives

    1. Identifying upcoming project and investment opportunities in the NCWR sector in the region in the coming years.
    2. Exploring these projects and investment opportunities from the angles of different stakeholders.
    3. Bringing together different types of stakeholders and groups to discuss possible collaboration and think of joint project ideas.

    Expected Session Outcomes

    1. A better understanding of current and future business opportunities in NCWR in the region.
    2. New connections between different groups and stakeholders working in the sector.
    3. New ideas for possible projects and collaboration among different groups.
    Design Thinking is an innovative and fast-paced methodology that is based on empathy and planning for users. The methodology encourages participants to think way outside the box and to come up with innovative future designs and solutions that do not yet exist. Many objects we use in our daily lives, or companies whose services we use (like Uber) were created through Design Thinking methodologies. Session Objectives
    1. Creating better understanding of the needs of different NCWR sectors through empathy exercises, focusing particularly on how to make NCWR more financially attractive.
    2. Approaching some of the challenges in the uptake and upscaling of NCWR in the region with new and out-of-the box solutions.
    3. Generating new ideas and solutions that could help advance the sector.
    Expected Session Outcomes
    1. New and innovative, out-of-the box ideas that could help make NCWR in the region more financially attractive.
    2. Sharing of ideas and solutions among all participants.
    3. Developing a culture of empathy and innovation in approaching NCWR.
    Reviewing the results and outcomes of the two-day Convention, summarizing the outcomes of all sessions, presenting ideas, solutions, designs, discussion results, and providing an outlook for future activities and cooperation.
    As shown, the program sessions follow six different modalities, which are:
    Competent moderators, facilitators, and high-level panelists will lead the discussions while all participants will get a chance to speak and share their views and knowledge. A full account of the session objectives, background, thematic scope and expected outcomes will be provided on the event website. Several sessions will present short pitches by experts to shed light on the Convention themes, including the following:

    Sponsors

    Gold Sponsor
    Government Supporting Partner
    Associate Sponsor
    Associate Sponsor
    Associate Sponsor
    Associate Sponsor
    Associate Sponsor
    Associate Sponsor
    Associate Sponsor
    Associate Sponsor
    Official Water Cooling Partner
    Official Automation Partner
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Strategic Partner
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Exhibitor
    Strategic Partner
    Strategic Partner
    Knowledge Partner

    Project Intelligence Partner

    Why?

    Why Get Involved?

    Learn

    about the regional Public-Private Partnership programs to strengthen the role of the private sector by unlocking state-driven investment

    Get

    acquainted with the latest NCWR options deployed globally

    Know

    about latest developments and innovations in NCWR technologies

    Connect

    and network with peers and stakeholders of NCWR-business operations and stakeholder collaboration challenges

    Share

    your knowledge and learn from others everything related to NCWR in the Arab Region

    Elements

    Key Convention Elements

    Two-day Arab Water Convention
    A high-level international convention that addresses all pressing challenges in the water sector through opening speeches, technical presentations, panel discussions and more

    01

    Two-day International Water Expo
    Showcasing the latest materials, equipment and most advanced systems and technologies in the water sector

    02

    Product
    Demos
    Live interactive demonstrations at the exhibition area showcasing the latest systems and technologies related to the water sector

    03

    Media & Live Broadcast Area
    To coordinate media interviews between international, regional, and local channels, VIPs, speakers, sponsors and attendees at the event

    04

    VIP Majlis
    VIP
    Majlis
    High-Level meetings dedicated to government authorities and their delegations to discuss strategic plans

    05

    VIP Majlis
    Awards Recognition Ceremony
    Prestigious ceremony to honour the event partners

    06

    Topics

    Arab Water Convention Priority Areas - Themes & Topics

    General Theme:
    There are countless investment opportunities in the water innovation sector. Following this perspective, there is a need to explore innovative solutions along the water and wastewater cycle. This includes learning how to turn challenges into business opportunities and how to develop and support impactful businesses in the NCWR sector. As water is tied to key social issues, there are important synergies between water-related business and social entrepreneurship. Unleashing the region’s entrepreneurial potential in the NCWR sector means identifying opportunities, supporting, and financing innovation, building bridges for integration, and leveraging synergies.
    Sub-themes:
    Focus of the sub-themes:

    Effective Governance Frameworks

    This theme deals with innovative approaches related to new and effective organizational structures, legislations, policies, and legal frameworks for creation of enabling environment that is needed for promoting new sustainable business opportunities in NCWR projects.

    Smart NCWR-Business opportunities

    This theme focuses on approaches and tools that could enhance capacities to face challenges combining water scarcity with climate change and fast changing world economies. These include among others digital transformation, renewable energy utilization, greening cities and de-carbonization of Water and Wastewater Plants.

    Financing new Bankable NCWR-Business Opportunities

    This theme deals with the advanced and innovative approaches by governmental organizations, as well as public investment funds and international financing institutions, in creation and supporting of new business models in the water and wastewater sector to achieve water security and UN-SDGs in Arab countries. This includes creative new financial and investment frameworks and structures to support and generate sufficient funds for supporting new bankable projects that attract and expand private sector participations in new business opportunities.

    Role of Private Sector in Promoting new NCWR-Business Opportunities.

    This theme deals with the role of national and international private sectors in building competitive capacities and adoption of creative, modern, feasible and effective approaches (technical, financial and managerial) that are required for successful execution of new business models in NCWR projects within the Arab countries.

    For submission of session expression of interest (EOI) please contact:
    Panel and cross cutting sessions: technical@arabwaterconvention.org

    The Water Expo

    The Water Expo will be a unique opportunity for all public and private institutions and companies in the water sector and related businesses and industries, research centres, international agencies, and non-governmental organizations to present their projects, programs, and products.

    The scope and areas of participation will include, but is not restricted to, desalination technologies; wastewater treatment; irrigation and drainage; storm water; sanitation; water purification and treatment technologies; control and measurement equipment; research and development innovations; and other water-related fields.

    Sponsorship Opportunities

    We have a diverse range of sponsorship opportunities available; a member of the sponsorship team will work with you to create a bespoke package to suit your business objectives. For more information email: partnerships@arabwaterconvention.org

    Exhibitors

    Why Do Exhibitors Participate at the Water Expo?

    How do exhibitors register for the Arab Water Convention Expo?

    Kindly contact: exhibition@arabwaterconvention.org

    Plan

    Floor Plan

    Register Now

    Registration

    Online registration for Arab Water Convention is closed. If you would like to attend, you may register on-site.
    Paid delegate passes can only be secured after the payment is processed via a credit card. Please note that only completing the registration form will not secure a delegate pass for this event. If you do not have access to a credit card and wish to register through other payment methods, or wish for a member of our team to contact you and answer your questions before completing your registration process, please send us an email at  partnerships@gmevents.ae with your details and the name of the event and we will contact you as soon as received. Once you have completed the registration and payment process, please do check your spam/junk folder in case our system generated confirmations are not delivered to your inbox.















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      Venue

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