The 2019 IDA World Congress ‘Crossroads to Sustainability', takes place 20-24 October in the Dubai World Trade Centre, the UAE’s largest event and exhibition center, and is hosted by the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA).
The IDA World Congress is a major global event on advanced water treatment solutions, specifically desalination and water reuse. With its technical program and global rxhibition, introduction of an IDA ‘Leaders Summit’ and IDA-affiliate discussion forums, attendance will comprise well over a thousand delegates from the public and private sectors around the globe.
The 2019 IDA World Congress takes place at a time when experts predict that 2019 will see the most active growth in seawater desalination since the late 2000s. The 2018-2019 IDA Water Security Handbook, which includes data from the 31st desalination inventory, reports that as of 30 June, 2018, the total global installed desalination capacity stood at 97.4 million m3/d, while the total global cumulative contracted capacity was 104.7 million m3/d. As of June 30, 2018, 20,000 desalination plants had been contracted around the world.
The handbook also notes that water reusehas become an increasingly important part of water resources management around the world. The global contracted reuse capacity has almost doubled since 2010, with cumulative contracted capacity increasing from 59.7 million m3/d in 2009 to 118 million m3/d in 2017.
“The IDA World Congress provides an ideal opportunity to take advantage of the forecasted growth in desalination and advanced water treatment. We’ve designed this event as a venue not only to gain knowledge, but also to exchange perspectives, network and make valuable connections, with several new features that encourage dialogue and interaction, introducing a Leaders Summit and IDA-Affiliate Discussion Forums ,” said Shannon McCarthy, IDA Secretary General.
Technical program The Congress’s four-day technical program covers all aspects of desalination and water reuse as solutions to ensure the sustainability of the world’s water resources. The program explores a broad range of desalination and water reuse technologies, practices and experiences from around the world, recognizing that resources and requirements can vary based on location, climate conditions and natural resources.
Technical sessions also address policy, finance and market challenges; operations; optimization of the energy-water-waste nexus; renewables in desalination; environmental considerations; resource recovery; and innovations that continue to advance the adoption of advanced water treatment solutions.
Exhibition Another cornerstone of the World Congress is the exhibition that brings together public utilities with technology, systems and services providers from all corners of the world. Centrally located in the heart of World Congress activities, it will be surrounded by the technical sessions, plenary theater, Majlis Dialogue Hall, lunch area and refreshment breaks. This prime location ensures easy access and an ongoing flow of visitors to exhibitor booths.
Debuting at the 2019 World Congress are the IDA ‘Leaders Summit’ held in parallel with the technical program, and the IDA-affiliate Majlis forums, designed to spark dialogue with IDA’s affiliate organizations.
The ‘Leaders Summit’ consists of a ‘Leaders with Community’ session open to all conference delegates on the afternoon of Monday, 21 October and a ‘Leaders with Leaders’ one-day, invitation only program Tuesday, 22 October. This Summit provides the opportunity for high-level interaction with some of the world’s foremost individuals in desalination and water reuse.
Majlis forums The IDA-affiliate Majlis forums are also a new part of the World Congress. These forums take place on Wednesday, 23 October through Thursday, 24 October during the general program and are open to all registered delegates. They provide an opportunity for IDA’s affiliates to explore what is going on in the water sector regionally and showcase important game-changing projects or technologies in which their members are involved. Known for its networking opportunities, IDA World Congress will hold ‘Crossroads to the Greens,’ IDA corporate golf day, on the championship Majlis course at the world-famous Emirates Golf Club and the venue for the Dubai Desert Classic. Rounding out the program are a Gala Dinner, expanded Awards Program, and opportunities for continued learning. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, with a wide array of packages to promote sponsor companies’ leadership and support of the desalination and advanced water treatment industry.
