World water experts to gather in Abu Dhabi for International Water Summit

Abu Dhabi, Jan 9, 2013 (WAM) - The world's most influential water experts and leading water companies will bring their expertise and cutting- edge technologies to the first International Water Summit from 15 - 17 January 2013 in Abu Dhabi, which is being held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.. Opening the first day sessions, which include a Ministerial Panel, Interview Sessions, Interactive Panel Discussions and Spotlight Interviews, will be Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, UAE Minister for Environment and Water; Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General, Gulf Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf; Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jabar, Managing Director and CEO of event host Masdar; Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General, Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi; Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Electricity '&' Water Authority; Wim Roels, CEO of principal sponsor Borouge; and Nick Carter, Director General, Regulation and Supervision Bureau Abu Dhabi. Other world water authorities participating at the International Water Summit include Anthony Cox, Head of Division, Environment and Economic Integration, OECD; Andre Fourie, CEO, World Business Council on Sustainable Development; Michel Jarraud, Chair, UN Water; Irina Bokova, Director General, UNESCO; Dr Mohamoud Abu-Zeid, President, Arab Countries Water Utilities Association; Daniel Lavanchy, Cahriman, Swiss Water Partnership; Beleke Debele Negewo, Senior Water Resources Specialist, World Bank; Uschi Eid, Vice Chair of the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water; Dr Corrado Sommariva, President, International Desalination Association; and Dr Peter Gleick, President, Pacific Institute. A steering committee consisting of senior representatives from the UAE Ministry of Water and Environment, Masdar, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Regulation '&' Supervision Bureau and the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Service Company is guiding the International Water Summit. Other world-leading organisations that have confirmed their participation are UN Habitat, the Global Water Operators' Partnership Alliance (GWOPA), the National Food Security Program of Qatar, the Stockholm International Water Institute, the Public Utilities Board Singapore and Masdar Institute. The International Water Summit (15 -17 January 2013) will be co-located with the World Future Energy Summit as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (13-17 January 2013). - Emirates News Agency, WAM