Industry-leading speakers, international technology and innovation providers, and world-class exhibitors will take part in the Water Expo & Forum, the Smart Cities Forum and the Climate & Environment Forum in January.

To be held alongside the prestigious, energy and sustainability-focused global platform World Future Energy Summit 2022, they will be hosted by Masdar as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a WAM report said. The three sustainable development events are being held for the benefit of project owners, government entities and investors in the Middle East.

The World Future Energy Summit 2022, organised by RX Middle East, will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), from January 17 to 19, 2022.

Participants will share insights with the Middle East’s most powerful investors, government and business stakeholders and project owners, entrepreneurs, innovators, and technology providers.

These three events provide perfect platforms for stakeholders to network and do business in person, and in turn drive clean energy and sustainable development in the Middle East and North Africa region, according to the organiser.

The Water Exhibition will feature world-class exhibitors including Acciona, Andritz, Jinluo Water and Utico, which will showcase their latest innovations and technologies in water desalination, water networks, wastewater treatment and smart water management.

The Water Forum will host key industry speakers who will include Rami Ghandour, Managing Director, Metito Utilities; Dr Corrado Sommariva, CEO and Founder, SWPC; Bruce Smith, Director of Forecasting and Planning, Emirates Water and Electricity Company; AbdulAziz Al Obaidli, Director of UAE Assets, Generation, Taqa; Esam Al Mulla, Director of Water Department, Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority; and Fatima Al Shaygi, Vice President of Thermal and Water, Taqa.

The Water Exhibition is of significant importance to the Middle East as the Arab countries are home to six per cent of the world’s population but have less than two per cent of renewable water supply, according to a report by the World Bank. To increase water security, the UAE has announced three additional seawater desalination plants, which are expected to be completed by 2023, with a combined capacity of 420 million imperial gallons per day.

The Smart Cities Forum will help drive the next generation of urban development and feature industry leaders including Yousef Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for the Electricity, Water and Future Energy Sector, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Greg Fewer, Group Chief Financial and Sustainability Office, Aldar; and Khalid Mohamed Al Qubaisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Energy Services Company, which is responsible for building the retrofit for energy and water efficiency in Abu Dhabi.

The Climate and Environment Forum will highlight the latest advances in climate resilience and environmental protection with well-known industry figures including Yazen Al Kodmani, Partner and Deputy General Manager, 3Y Agriculture and Emirates Bio Farm; Darin Rovere, Founder and CEO, Sustainability Excellence; and Dr Majid Sultan Al Qassimi, Partner, Soma Mater.