More details have been released about the program for the 2009 World Congress of the International Desalination Association (IDA), which will take place during 7-12 November 2009 in Dubai.
IDA stated on 30 September 2009 that the advance program would be on the website and ready for download “very soon”.
The technical program is now set with a full schedule, starting on Saturday 7 November with a session designed for IDA affiliates to update attendees on the activities of each group. The same day will also feature a number of social programs including tennis and camel polo!
Held at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah hotel, the opening ceremonies also begin on 7 November with an multi-media production that highlights the role of desalination as part of global water solutions for the 21st century. This will be followed by a welcome by IDA President Lisa Henthorne.
The opening will also feature remarks by pre-eminent leaders in water and the environment, science and industry from around world and the Gulf region. Confirmed and invited speakers include:
The keynote address will be delivered by David H Koch, president of Koch Membrane Systems and executive vice president of Koch Industries Inc, philanthropist and pioneer in the advancement in membrane technology. Renowned scientist Dr Farouk El-Baz, director of the Center for Remote Sensing, and research professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Boston University, USA, will also speak.
With five days of technical sessions, lectures and roundtable discussions, as well as three post-Congress specialized workshops, this year’s World Congress features 240 papers and digital poster presentations. The post-Congress workshops will be held on Thursday, November 12th.
They are: Workshop 1 – David H Paul, Reverse Osmosis Operation & Maintenance Workshop 2 – Masar Technologies, Fouling, Energy and Cost Management Workshop 3 – Dr. Corrado Sommariva, Desalination Management and Economics. Pre registration for these workshops ends on October 16th.
The Exhibition is the largest in World Congress history, with 148 spaces that sold out in less than 30 days. A total of 67 companies from over 20 countries will showcase their latest products and technologies. The official opening of the exhibition is Sunday, November 8th.
Themed “Desalination for a Better World,” the World Congress being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. TechnoPark is the host of the event, which is also being supported by Economic Zones World.
Site visits will include the Water & Wastewater Plants at Palm Jumeirah, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA); Taweelah B – Power and Desalination, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA); Station G or Phase 1 of Station L, and Jebel Ali M Station – MSF Desalination Plant of 140 MIGD.
Due to advance security clearances required there will be no on-site sign-up for the Technical Plant Tours. To book, visit the IDA website www.idadesal.org .