Water
Conference Programmes
The Water Conference 2025 will address the critical challenges facing governments and societies in arid countries around water and food security. The event will focus on the dynamic, long-term shift taking place to decarbonise the sector, create new water efficiencies, introduce new technologies and ensure water and food security.
By bringing together experts from across a wealth of disciplines in the public and private sectors, we aim to shape the future of the region's water and agricultural sectors, pointing to the action required to continually improve efficiencies in our water and food systems. The Conference will attract speakers from government departments, project owners, developers, researchers and engineers.
Find out more about our expert speakers or view all the session details below.
Tuesday 14th January | Stage 2, Hall 3
13:55 - 14:00 | Welcome
MC: Dr. Najib Dandachi, CEO, Al Usul
14:00 - 14:10 | Keynote
H.E. Eng. Ahmed Alkaabi, Undersecretary Assistant for Electricity, Water & Future Energy Sector, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE
14:10 - 14:55 | Panel: Advancing water security
What is meant by the word ‘security’ in the term water security? Is security the quantity of water available, or its quality, affordability or access to the water? And who is responsible for managing water security? This panel explores how regions can turn water vulnerabilities into strengths through community-driven initiatives and policy frameworks. It will highlight risk governance, regulatory standards, use of different water types and successful public-private partnerships (PPP) to advance water security.
Led by: Dr. Najib Dandachi, CEO, Al Usul
Farid Al Awlaqi, CEO, TAQA Generation, TAQA
Dr. Mohamed Hamyd Dawoud, Advisor - Environment Quality, Environment Quality, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
Dr. AlaEldin Idris Elhag, Water Resources Expert, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure
Prof. Fadi Comair, The Cyprus Institute and Senior Expert, Obeid & Partners Law Firm
14:55 - 15:20 | Fireside talk: Water security – a technology approach
The second part of our focus on water security will discuss the role of new technologies. It will look at how we can better measure and predict water needs, and the benefits of more rapidly spotting water losses or theft across the network, such as by using AI in leak detection or smart metres for non-revenue water to cut losses.
Led by: Stella Martin Beck, Senior Commercial Advisor, Green Energy Transition UAE & Qatar,
Consulate General of Denmark
Dr. Noora Almarzooqi, Senior Researcher Water Technologies (RSERC), Technology
Innovation Institute
Nada Abubakr, Middle East Lead, Global Water Practice, Ricardo
Energy & Environment Consultancy
15:20 - 16:10 | Presentations: Innovation in water resource management
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.
Talk 1:
Dr. Badr Mohamed, Lead Researcher, Technology Innovation Institute
Talk 2:
Dr Sajid Pareeth, Director ‑ Water & Climate Solutions ‑ Education & Culture, Expo City Dubai
Talk 3: Innovative Solutions for Water Resource Management in Arid Regions: Challenges and Opportunities
Tharwh Qutaish, Water Quality Management Consultant @ UNEP- Saudi Environment Sustainability Programme, UNEP West Asia
16:10 - 16:30 | Presentation: Innovations in desalination - migrating from a groundwater supply in arid environments
In the arid GCC, desalination is a lifeline for water security. These presentations will explore advancements in desalination technologies that are aiding continual improvements in low carbon water production. From next-gen membrane technologies and energy-efficient processes to hybrid systems and sustainable practices, our experts will highlight the innovations making desalination more eco-friendly.
Paul LeRuth, Water Resource and Operability Director, Emirates Water & Electricity Company
Maitha Al Hallami, Water Distribution & Supply Senior Engineer, Abu Dhabi
Department of Energy
Wednesday 15th January | Stage 2, Hall 3
10:25 - 10:30 | Welcome
MC: Christ Declercq, Regional Manager Middle East, CBrain
10:30 - 11:10 | Panel: Decarbonising water infrastructure
Decarbonising a country’s water infrastructure involves many steps that span the entire value chain. To achieve this transformation, it requires policy and regulation, technology adoption, particularly to implement energy-efficient processes and smart systems, and to foster increased collaboration and stakeholder engagement. This panel will discuss key steps, how to measure progress, and provide an insight into what is realistically feasible in the short term and the long-term ambitions and goals that can be set.
Led by: Dr. Titia De Mes, Sustainability Manager, TAQA Water Solutions
Eng. Ahmad AlShamsi, Mechanical Engineer - Water Resources Department,
Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure
Thierry Froment, Chief Executive Officer - Middle East, VEOLIA WATER TECHNOLOGIES
Ian Rodgers, Solutions Architect: Xylem Decision Intelligence Solutions &
Assessment Services, Xylem Inc
11:10 - 11:45 | Panel: Water reuse – sustainable and a revenue opportunity
Water reuse remains a taboo topic when the word ‘potable’ is added. Is it a battle worth fighting in our efforts to treat water use more sustainably, or too expensive to be worthwhile? Instead, is it better to focus on revenue generating opportunities around wastewater – especially given that the rapid urbanisation happening in the region needs different water types for various roles. Can increased water reuse become a more viable pillar in reducing potable consumption and therefore capital requirements?
Led by: Carlo Stella, Managing Partner - Global Practice Leader, Sustainability
Practice, Arthur D. Little
Dr. Titia De Mes, Sustainability Manager, TAQA Water Solutions
Alok Srivastava, General Manager, Clear Water Solutions (Al Shirawi)
Dr. Hazem Gouda, Associate Professor of Engineering, University of Wollongong in Dubai
Gurmeet Kaur, Partner, Pinsent Masons
11:45 - 12:00 | Presentation: DoE water insights and regulations
Mohammed Abbas, Acting Water Regulation Section Head, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy
12:00 - 12:35 | Panel: Stormwater transformation: From risk to resource
The Dubai flood that struck after unprecedented heavy rainfall in April 2024 highlighted the impact of changing weather patterns, particularly as such events are predicted to happen more often in the coming years. Beyond investing in and building better stormwater drainage systems, how should water scarce countries integrate stormwater capture and management - including policies - into their urban design and planning? What purification processes will this polluted water need to go through to remove city contaminants and how do cities turn stormwater from a risk to a resource?
Led by: Robert Bryniak, CEO, Golden Sands Management
Dr. Hossam Samir Ibrahim, Urban & Regional Planning Consultant, Ministry Of Municipality
Dr. Tariq Al-Zarooni, Head - Airport Utilities, Engineering Services, Dubai Airports
Arnaud Delamare, Partner, Energy and Natural Resources, Oliver Wyman
12:35 - 13:00 | Fireside talk: Unlocking and fostering water positivity
Water positivity goes beyond treating water properly - it’s about replenishing more than we consume. Leading companies worldwide are looking into how they can return water to nature, offsetting their usage. Achieving this involves a holistic approach, considering the entire value chain (including agriculture and consumer use), implementing replenishment strategies, and aligning with water stewardship policies. The benefits include enhanced sustainability and a positive environmental impact, while risks include replenishment programmes falling short. This session will look at how companies, especially major water consumers, are trying to become water positive.
Led by: Christ Declercq, Regional Manager Middle East, CBrain
Manali Desai, Chief Sustainability Officer AMESA, PepsiCo
Rachid Maalouli, Head of Nestle Waters - MENA (BEO Waters), Nestlé
Alicia Dauth, Water Assurance & Stewardship Specialist, Water Security Collective
14:30 - 15:15 | Panel: Resilient approaches to food security and climate adaptation
This panel explores strategies for building resilient food systems amid escalating climate challenges. It highlights transformative approaches to food security and sustainability that are vital for healthy societies.
Led by: Edurne Gil de San Vicent, Sustainability and Impact Strategist, egsv Advisory
Waleed Aboulehassan, Senior Natural Resources Officer (Water Resources Management), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Vidya Shah, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Food Hub
Mira El Ghaziri, Managing Director, HealthyPath
Dr. Youssef Brouziyne, Head of Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
15:15 - 15:30 | Presentation: Climate-smart Drylands: Integrating Water and Food Systems for Resilience
Dr. Vinay Nangia, Research Leader - Soil, Water, and Agronomy, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
15:30 - 15:45 | Presentation: Cultivating sustainability: The promise of alternative proteins in addressing water scarcity
Kerem Erikçi , Cofounder, biftek.co
15:45 - 16:30 | Panel: Democratising agtech: Bridging the investment gap for farmers
Are GCC ambitions around agriculture technology (agtech) clear? Should the focus be on environmental sustainability – such as reducing emissions or water use? Or is it more important to concentrate on the economic viability of agtech? Farmers need to balance efforts to become more profitable with meeting local food demands and sustainability targets. For many, agtech is unaffordable. How do we make agricultural technology more standardised and less fragmented, so that it becomes a more cost-effective and sustainable investment for farmers? And is current agtech fit for purpose in the GCC’s harsh, arid climate, or do we need to see more localised efforts around research & development?
Led by: Dr. Vinay Nangia, Research Leader - Soil, Water, and Agronomy, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Dr. Wafa Al Yamani, Biodiversity Expert, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Sherif Hosny, Chief Executive Officer, Mishkat Agtech
Samantha Kayruz, Strategy & Sustainability Impact Director, Goumbook
Christine Kampinga, Managing Director, Quantum Impact Investing