Conference Programmes

Oliver John Lawson, Media & communication advisor, Tadweer Group  - Moderator 
 

Jawaher Alyafei, Head Business Development, Tadweer Group   
 

Dr. Sivapalan Kathiravale, Research & Development Head, Tadweer Group  
 

As the UAE continues its journey towards sustainability and innovation, youth play a pivotal role in shaping the nation's future. The UAE Vision 2021 and the UAE Centennial 2071 highlight the need to engage and empower the youth to lead the transition to a sustainable and diversified economy. This session underscores the importance of young leaders in advancing waste management, promoting the circular economy, and ensuring a cleaner, greener future for all.

Jasim Al Obeidli, Head of the Youth Councils Network

This keynote will set the stage by emphasizing the UAE's strategic vision for youth empowerment, their role in achieving national sustainability goals, and the importance of youth leadership in driving innovation across sectors.

Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO, Tadweer Group

Ali Al Dhaheri will discuss Tadweer Group's dedication to cultivating young talent and building a culture of innovation. He will highlight success stories from the Tadweer Youth Council and their contributions to waste management and sustainability initiatives.

This interactive panel will explore the transformative role of youth in driving sustainability. Panelists will discuss strategies for empowering young leaders, overcoming barriers, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

Moderator: Abdulwahed Juma, Executive Director of Communications and Awareness
 

Ahmad Al Farisi, Chair of Tadweer Group Youth Council and Ambassador Programme
 

Malak Al Hadrami, Responsible Investing, Mubadala
 

MC: Carlo Stella, Managing Partner - Global Practice Leader, Sustainability Practice,
Arthur D. Little
 

Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO, Tadweer Group
 

The circular economy needs tangible targets. Any plan needs agreement around the baseline measurement, to create indicators for the business to understand whether or not it is making progress and to understand the impact it is having on business performance overall. The decisions made in the early stages will contribute to reduced emissions, greater reuse and lower waste levels. This opening panel will ask how organisations set metrics and measurements when developing a plan.

Led by: Tommaso Bufa, Sustainability and Environmental Expert 
 

Raya Makawi, Regional Leader l Middle East & Africa l Sustainability, 3M 
 

Dina Epifanova, Global Head of Sustainability, IFFCO Group
 

Mohab Ali Talib Al-Hinai, Vice President - Sustainability and Circular Economy, Oman Environmental Services Holding Co (Be'ah)
 

Maher Al Kaabi, Advisor to Group Chairman and Independent Board Member, Alserkal Group of Companies and UAE Circular Economy Council Member
 

How can we move beyond siloed approaches to adopt a whole-economy solution for circularity? Often, the most basic ideas - which don't cost much - have the highest impact on sustainability. These presentations will provide success stories within the circular economy, looking at how companies and people were incentivised to embrace and contribute to a plan, including financially, and how this resulted in measurable benefits. 

11:20 Talk 1
Turning agriculture waste into sustainable fashion materials 
Shikha Shah, Founder and CEO, AltMat

11:35 Talk 2
Accelerating the circular economy for construction waste 
Ayad Khalil Chammas, Corporate Director, TS investments 

11:50 Talk 3
Eng. Majed Al Marzouqi, Acting Project & Facilities Director, Tadweer Group
 

It’s essential to distinguish between the circular economy and recycling. While many people equate the circular economy with recycling, this is a misconception. Recycling should be considered a last resort. The primary focus of the circular economy is on reducing waste and reusing materials. This discussion will focus on approaches to prioritise reduction and reuse, to create more sustainable and efficient systems that minimise environmental impact and conserve resources. 

Led by: Tommaso Buffa, Sustainability and Environmental Expert 
 

Mukul Anand, CEO, R3 Factory
 

Ahmed Taher, EcoWaste Management Expert 
 

What are the types of waste that, whilst not a huge problem in terms of volume today, are going to become a major waste management challenge in the near future. For instance, what will happen with end-of-life solar materials, or batteries from electric vehicles? How will we these be viewed - an opportunity for reuse or recycling, or a waste material that needs to be managed sustainably? This session will identify the upcoming waste material challenges, and discuss ways these can be dealt with that brings benefit for all.

Led by: Keerthana Rajamanickam, Editor, Waste & Recycling
 

Daker El Rabaya, CEO - Waste Processing & Treatment, Beeah
 

Richard Davidson, Middle East Director - Waste, Ricardo
 

Madhumohan Sreeram, Director - ESG Solutions, Trans Euro Group
 

Dr. Sivapalan Kathiravale, Research & Development Head, Tadweer Group 
 

This presentation will provide insight into the UK’s Greater Cambridge councils’ climate change mitigation goals. It will outline their approach to decarbonisation of their refuse collection fleet (and other vehicles), challenges, progress to date, next steps and future plans.

Bode Esan, Head - Environment and Shared Waste Service, South
Cambridgeshire District Council, UK
 

MC: Meghna Lakhani Talreja, Founder, One Modern World 
 

With global waste management responsible for 3-5% of greenhouse gas emissions—surpassing even the aviation industry—it’s time for urgent action. Zero waste principles focus on waste prevention, and this session will spotlight the transformative Waste to Zero initiative, the Global Coalition to Decarbonise the Waste Industry. The goal is to avoid sending waste to landfill or a waste-to-energy plant, and this discussion will emphasise the need for collaboration and delve into innovative solutions, global partnerships, and the role of technology in reducing emissions and driving the industry toward a net-zero future. Attendees will also hear updates on the initiative's progress to date and gain insight into next steps and future developments shaping the decarbonisation journey. 

Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President & CEO, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators and Chairperson, Waste to Zero initiative
 

Moderator: Abdulwahed Juma Farish, Executive Director Communications and Awareness, Tadweer Group 
 

HE Eng. Alya Alharmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for Sustainable communities, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment 
 

Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO, Tadweer Group 
 

While circularity initiatives often emphasise changing consumer behaviour and reducing household waste, the larger challenge lies in diverting substantial volumes of industry waste from landfills. Industrial sectors generate significant waste, offering greater potential for reuse and emission reductions. Effective strategies and policies must be implemented to address this issue, focusing on robust industrial waste management, incentivising recycling and reuse, and enforcing stricter regulations on waste disposal. By targeting both consumer and industrial waste, can we achieve a more comprehensive approach to landfill diversion and climate change mitigation? 

Led by: Abed Shawar, Waste & Circular Economy Advisory Service Lead, WSP 
 

Vicky Bradley, Principal Consultant, Ricardo
 

Ahmad Al Farisi, Hazardous Waste Officer, Tadweer Group 
 

Like other sectors, the waste management industry is trying to decarbonise. It is taking different approaches - for instance embracing circular economy approaches to how it deals with waste. But what about within the organisations themselves? What are they doing to decarbonise their businesses? These presentations outline some of the current efforts and ideas. 

11:35 Talk 1
Ayoola Brimmo, Co-Founder and COO, Cycled Technologies
 

11:50 Talk 2
Dr. Haythem Riahi, Founder and CEO, Circa Biotech 
 

12:05 Talk 3
Rabih El Chaar, Managing Partner, Smarkk and CEO, Nadeera
 

12:20 Talk 4
Dr. Sangeeta Sharma, Head of ESG, Tadweer Group 
 

Organisations are trying to commercialise different parts of the waste cycle and circular economy. Where money can be made, investment can be attracted, and new ideas fostered and scaled. This discussion will focus on projects that use biogenic feedstock to create sustainable products such as aviation fuel from waste, asking what the challenges are, can these projects move from interesting pilot to commercial scale products, if there are the volumes of feedstock required and more.

Mohamed Faheem Khan, Project Manager, Tadweer Group
 

A challenge for growing the circular economy is the cost of recycling, which includes collecting and cleaning waste versus the cost of manufacturing a virgin product or material. How does the waste sector make money from the circular economy, and at what point is reuse or recycling no longer economically viable?

Led by: Meghna Talreja, Founder, One Modern World 
 

Riad Bestani, Founder & CEO, ECOsquare
 

Ayoola Brimmo, Co-Founder and COO, Cycled Technologies
 

Emma Barber, Managing Director, DGrade
 

Ronald Richa, Project Director, Veolia Near & Middle East