Conference Programmes

Stella Martin Beck, Senior Commercial Advisor, Green Energy Transition UAE & Qatar,
Consulate General of Denmark
 

Nada Abubakr, Middle East Lead, Global Water Practice, Ricardo
Energy & Environment Consultancy
 

Dr. Noora Almarzooqi, Senior Researcher Water Technologies (RSERC), Technology
Innovation Institute
 

As we face unprecedented water challenges, innovative solutions are crucial. Technologies like remote sensing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced computing allow complex water management models to emerge. Techniques such as water harvesting, water reuse, and smart water management transform our approach. These case studies will offer insights into efforts to innovate water provision. 

Dr. Chakravarthy Gudipati, Executive Director - Water Technologies,
Technology Innovation Institute 
 

Dr Sajid Pareeth, Director ‑ Water & Climate Solutions ‑ Education & Culture, Expo City Dubai
 

In the busy streets of modern cities, traffic congestion is an unwelcome, often dirty, sight. But what if we could predict its arrival and reroute our journeys accordingly? Is predictive analysis a game-changer for urban mobility? The challenge is to decode the massive amounts of data, using real-time camera feeds, sensors, and mobile apps, mashed with analysed historical patterns, weather conditions and unexpected events, so that by using AI we can spot potential bottlenecks. What is required for cities to use such AI algorithms (policy incentives, publicprivate partnerships, both?) and in what creative ways can we use predictive insights to seamlessly guide people on their respective journeys?

Steven 'Shafik' Nasser, CTO/CIO, Saber and Chairman of the IRF MENA Committee,
International Road Federation
 

Pramod Kashyap, Director of Internet of Things, e& enterprise
 

Fabian Wong, EV Multi Family Office Venture Partner l Investor, QEV Technologies
 

How can AI partner with other climate-focused technologies to achieve the emissions reductions that society needs? These presentations will outline how current AI is being used and lays out ideas of how its use could evolve in future to make a true impact on tackling climate change. 

Dr. Diana Francis, Climate Scientist and ENGEOS Lab Head, Khalifa University
 

Saina Babaee, Vice President Controls & Digitalization, Siemens Energy
 

ClimateTech can take many, diverse forms - ranging from cutting-edge, advanced AIbased systems to practical low-tech opportunities such as passive cooling. Equally, technologies focused on adaptation and resilience are becoming more important. These presentations will look at different ClimateTech ideas, the difference they are making and how they are being scaled. 

Lola Fernandez, Principal, VentureSouq Management 
 

This session will explore how artificial intelligence will be used to make Energy systems more efficient. Whilst not heavily in use today, what is the future of AI in energy, what levels of investment will be required for its effective use and despite being power hungry, what role will it play in energy decarbonisation? 

Eng. Meirah Khaleifa Alkaabi, Electrical Engineer, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure
 

Dr. Morgan Eldred, Founder, Digital Energy 

Nawel Mahmoudi, Co-Founder and CEO, ValueGrid

Marco Garcia, Co-Founder and CCO, Nextracker
 

Figures vary, but an AI search takes about 17x more energy than a normal Google search. There is also a surge globally in the build and use of data centres – the IEA estimates that by 2026 new data centres will add the power consumption of Sweden at a minimum (and Germany in a worst-case scenario). Will this extra use put a strain on energy planning for capacity needs? Can its increased requirements be met sustainably? This session will explore what the rapid expansion of AI use and data centres will mean for energy systems and future energy planning

Dr. Christopher Cooper, Executive Advisor, Group Digital & Cybersecurity, ADNOC 

Dr. Hasan Shafi, Partner, EY - Parthenon MENA
 

Dietmar Siersodrfer, Managing Director Middle East & Africa, Siemens Energy
 

Bruce Smith, Executive Director, Strategy and Planning, Emirates Water & Electricity Company
 

Data centres are substantial electricity consumers, and their rapid growth in usage raises critical questions about energy preparedness. While essential for our digital future, their environmental impact requires careful planning and the use of sustainable practices to mitigate their environmental effects. As companies decentralise their data infrastructure and cloud providers expand, the demand for data centres will continue to surge, and AI and LLMs place yet more strain on energy systems. What impact will greater data centre use have on energy- and data-related emissions, how are data centers trying to offset that energy increase and what does this mean for company and country emissions targets? 

Alberto Ravagni, CEO, Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers, Switzerland
 

Pierre Cheyron, Managing Director, Energy Solutions, AMEA, Engie
 

To date AI use in cities has been more talk than true progressive use. But digitalisation and greater use of data is taking hold. As AI introduces new efficiencies and opportunities, what progress around smarter, more sustainable cities can we expect to see? What leaps will AI achieve, how will it dovetail with building management systems and can the dream of cognitive buildings become a reality any time soon - and if so what technology needs to be in place? This session will look at the near-term future of AI in sustainable cities, and at the longer-term outlook of our future communities.

Mohammed Shah, Smart City Director, Knowledge Economic City
 

Ismail Ozenc, Associate Vice President, Siemens Advanta Consulting
 

Andy Palanisamy, Board Advisor of Technology and Smart Cities, Obsession
 

Mohamed Moselhy, Global Smart Cities Director, Honeywell
 

Data a big challenge for individual buildings, communities and cities as a whole, especially with increased expectations around Artificial Intelligence. How do organisations should integrate different data systems so that they talk to each other - such as digital twins, IoT monitoring, virtual or augmented reality, and more. And once integrated, how do management organisations or municipalities get the best from them? This session will look at if more open data is needed for sustainable cities to function, and the role of better data governance. 

Led by: Misha Mittal, Senior Manager - City Advisory, Expo City Dubai
 

Sara AlZarooni, Director of Data and Statistics Strategy, Planning and Governance,
Digital Dubai Authority
 

Alaa Dalghan, CEO, Cognit DX
 

Benoit Meulewaeter, Director of Engineering, Besix
 

ClimateTech plays a pivotal role in our transition to a sustainable future. However, funding this critical sector remains a challenge. Many of the technologies needed for climate adaptation and mitigation, including AI-driven solutions, are either yet to be invented or lack sufficient financing to scale. What is required to bridge this gap - more flexible or innovative financing, regional cooperation, improved regulatory frameworks or more? 

Jana Elkova, Strategy & Entrepreneurship Expert, Ministry of Economy, UAE
 

Dr Miray Zaki, Managing Director - Head of Sustainability Investments, Gulf Capital 
 

Oliver Phillips, Regional Head of Sustainable Finance, Barclays Bank CIB 
 

Lucy Chow, Partner, Asian Impact Leaders Network