NWC’s Water Symposium – Innovative Water Solutions for a Promising Future
One of NWC’s most prominent marketing initiatives is the Water Symposium, an annual event organized in participation with the industry’s international specialists and experts.
December 4, 2013 marked the date of NWC’s 5th Water Symposium which was held at the Hilton Hotel Hall in Jeddah and sponsored by His Excellency the Minister of Water and Electricity Engineer Abdullah Al-Hussain. Speakers included various international experts in the field of water and environmental services.
The event was launched with an opening word by NWC’s CEO, Dr. Loay Al-Musallam, highlighting the water sector’s latest developments, plans, and projects, as well as NWC’s achievements, programs, initiatives, and its relentless efforts in exploring opportunities and forming effective partnerships.
The Forum tackled a number of critical issues and themes concerning the growing demand of the water industry, reviewing the latest plans and investment opportunities, and environmental remediation. As one of the global leaders in water sustainability and efficiency initiatives, the Kingdom’s sustainability strategy was also discussed in an effort to further improve the quality of provided services. Questions regarding risk assessments, optimizing the collaboration between the government and the private sector, efficient use of treated water, current obstacles, and developments over the coming ten years were discussed and elaborated on by the attending experts.
The Forum presents a unique opportunity for the world’s best water industry specialists, decision makers, and experts to meet and exchange ideas. It also welcomes potential investors who get the change to have a closer look at the Kingdom’s latest developments and water sector improvements. It is, indeed, an international platform for knowledge sharing.
Forum speakers included NWC’s CEO, Dr. Loay Bin Ahmed Al-Musallam, Projects Executive Director, Engineer Abdullah bin Saleh Hagbani, Montazar Al-Muhalhal (Executive Director of Strategic Planning), Ibrahim Shirazi (Financial Advisor and Executive Director of Business Development), Engineer Yahya Yousuf (Director of Asset Services).
Speakers from different water companies, organizations, and universities included , Mohsen Murtaza (Arcadis Middle East General Manager), Prof. Walid Abdul Rahman (Miahona CEO), Pierre Paulk (Degremont Middle East Chief Executive Officer), in addition to Professor Abdulaziz Terbag (Department of Civil Engineering at King Saud University), Adam Kingdon (CEO of io2), Frederic Fleury (CEO of Veolia Saudi Arabia), Jesús Sancho (Regional Director of Acciona Agua), Jose Enrique Bofill (Aqualia Middle East Director), Bill Hackin (ECOM Water Resources Director), and Eng. Ingmar Obermann (GIZ Senior Business Development Director).
The Forum also featured roundtable debates in the presence of Mr. Michael Pawlyn, the mastermind and leader behind Eden projects in Cornwall, UK, who discussed the significance of climate change, water conservation, and economic optimism.