The International Desalination and Water Reuse World Congress 2024 (IDRA World Congress 2024), hosted by the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi (DoE) began this morning at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, and will continue through 12 December, uniting global leaders, innovators, and experts to address one of the world’s most pressing challenges; water scarcity.

The opening ceremony of the IDRA World Congress was attended by distinguished officials, including Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Professor Hani Sewailam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt; Engineer Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi; and Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Head of the Department of Community Development, along with a number of dignitaries and high-ranking officials. The congress also welcomed ambassadors from various countries accredited to the UAE, along with senior officials and renowned experts specialising in energy, water, environment, and sustainability sectors.

In a keynote address on behalf of the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi, Al Marar highlighted the significance of the congress, which coincides with the UAE’s celebrations of its 53rd Eid Al Etihad. He emphasised that the event offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the nation’s remarkable journey towards achieving global leadership in innovation and sustainability.

“Today, we stand united in Abu Dhabi with a shared commitment to safeguarding water sustainability for future generations. This event underscores our collective responsibility to confront the escalating global challenges of water resource management. It is imperative that we prioritise innovation and foster deeper collaboration to develop groundbreaking solutions that ensure a secure and sustainable water future for all.”

He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s pioneering initiatives and significant achievements in water desalination. He remarked, “By 2035, 98% of water production in Abu Dhabi will utilise low-carbon reverse osmosis technology — a landmark achievement that underscores the Emirate’s unwavering commitment to water sustainability and carbon reduction.” He further emphasized that by 2031, Abu Dhabi will produce over 3.5 million cubic metres of water daily while achieving an impressive 93% reduction in carbon intensity, setting a global benchmark for sustainable water management.

He added, “We are committed to aligning our water strategy with clean energy objectives. By 2035, 60% of Abu Dhabi’s electricity needs will be met through clean energy sources, driven by strategic projects in nuclear and solar energy.”

Highlighting Abu Dhabi’s advancements in water resource management, Al Marar drew attention to the state-of-the-art reverse osmosis desalination plant in Al Taweelah. As one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world, the plant produces an impressive 200 million imperial gallons of water daily. In addition to meeting growing demand, it exemplifies sustainability by achieving significant reductions in energy consumption, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovative and efficient water solutions.

He emphasised the vital role of the “Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative” in driving global innovation in water solutions. He added: “These projects reflect Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainable water management and its proactive approach to foster partnership and adopt solutions in conserving water resources for future generations, that people and places can benefit from.”

IDRA President, Fady Juez, in his keynote, highlighted the global need to address water scarcity, and the IDRA World Congress’s importance as a knowledge-sharing and decision-making platform in this fight: “The IDRA World Congress 2024 represents an extraordinary opportunity to double our collective efforts towards water solutions. This global event is a call to action for stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and take meaningful steps toward a water-secure future. Together, we will explore groundbreaking technologies, drive impactful policies, and chart a course toward a water-secure future for all.”

The IDRA World Congress 2024 features over 200 speakers representing 40+ countries. Experts will lead discussions across 100+ sessions, panels, and workshops, delving into the latest technical advancements, regulations, finance, and project models in desalination, water reuse, and sustainable water management, water stewardship and decarbonization strategies.

Upcoming highlights include the Leaders' Summit on Tuesday, December 10th, which will explore innovative solutions and sustainability driving water security. Moreover, the Awards Program, on December 11th at the Emirates Palace Hotel, will honor achievements in desalination, water reuse, and sustainability, celebrating innovation and leadership.