International Water Summit (IWS) team highlighted opportunities for French water companies as it took its international road show to France. In light of the rising water demand of arid regions including the Middle East, the IWS road show seeks global collaboration to promote sustainable water resource management solutions to tackle water scarcity problems in the region.
The second stop of the road show was held at the headquarters of UBIFRANCE, the French Agency for international business development. It was well-attended by representatives of 14 top French companies and officials from the French embassy in the UAE, who came together to explore opportunities for developing the water-scare region’s water infrastructure. Keen on engaging with the Middle East region’s decision makers, French water technology providers also expressed interest in strengthening its market-hold in the UAE through IWS 2014.
International Water Summit 2014 will be held in Abu Dhabi from 20-22 January, co-located with World Future Energy Summit, hosted by Masdar, as a part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW),a global platform that addresses the interconnected challenges that affect the widespread acceleration and adoption of sustainable development and renewable energy. The largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East, ADSW encourages actionable outcomes to carve a pathway toward sustainability worldwide.
After a successful participation in the first edition of IWS, UBFRANCE has confirmed its participation at IWS 2014. Highlighting the significance of IWS 2014, Jean-Francois GOUMY, Head of Department - Environment, Energy and Chemical Industries at UBFRANCE, said, “The UAE and its capital city - Abu Dhabi, share a successful and long-standing history of trade, business and investment ties with French water companies. IWS provides French water technology companies with an ideal platform to steadily build upon this relationship and explore additional opportunities in the UAE and GCC.”
France leads the world in water quality management and water treatment technologies and systems, an area of opportunity in the Middle East for French water solution providers. Ara Fernezian, Divisional Managing Director - UAE at Reed Exhibitions, said, “The GCC is a thriving economy that is investing to meet its growing water demands. The water and waste-water infrastructure market alone is valued at USD 9 billion[1], a lucrative business opportunity for French companies to establish in Abu Dhabi and cater to the region’s needs.”
Outlining opportunities for French water experts to partake in Abu Dhabi’s groundwater management and agricultural water conservation efforts, Fernezianadded, “Abu Dhabi aims to improve irrigational efficiency to reduce water consumption in Abu Dhabi’s farms by 40%. To tackle water-shortage problems, the city is also investing in groundwater monitoring, protection and recharge schemes as well as conservation campaigns for end consumers.To help achieve these objectives, we welcome French experts to IWS 2014 to share their learning and best-practicein drought prevention.”
To encourage dialogue and international cooperation at the International Water Summit 2014, the road show that began in Japan last month,will now travel to Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, USA and UK.
The 2nd IWS in 2014 will continue to garner strong local support from partners such as the Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) and Regulation Supervision Bureau(RSB).
About International Water Summit 2013 (IWS):The inaugural edition of International Water Summit 2013 held in January and hosted by Masdar with the strategic Partnership of ADWEA, was attended by over 4700 attendees from 75 countries and contributed significantly to addressing global water issues such as water scarcity in Arab regions, sustainable growth and economic development in arid regions, the future challenges of water availability and cross-boundary collaboration through international water governance and the water - energy nexus.
IWS 2013 brought together world leaders, government organizations, policymakers, public and private sector investors, business leaders, consultants, experts, contractors and developers under one roof at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) to discuss, debate and display the latest thinking in water sustainability.
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