"Water Days"

Conference – Workshops
June 30 & July 1, 2010
at The Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi

Sesam and its partners invite you to attend the “Water Days” conference at the Yas Hotel on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

With water being one of the world’s most important and most endangered resources this event focuses on raising awareness about various water related challenges. In the gulf region and in the UAE in particular urban development, especially buildings, have an important impact on this resource. Thus, the conference introduces recently concluded governmental water regulations - ESTIDAMA. In addition, the conference introduces practical approaches to water conservation through green buildings, efficient water distribution and biological waste water treatment. The need to understand and protect the ecology of marine and coastal environments is another important element on water resource management highlighted at this conference.

Following high profile speakers the conference will conclude in the “Green Lounge”, an open Panel discussion between experts and the audience.

Conference Delegates interested in staying at The Yas Hotel overnight can avail a corporate rate. For details please click here.

Certificates of Attendance for conference delegates are issued by the NYIT, The New York Institute of Technology. As all previous conferences, "Water Days" will be made CO₂-neutral by investments into carbon offsetting projects. We leave a green Footprint!

Sponsors

Gold Sponsor:	Silver Sponsor

Academic Partner:	Supported by:

Day 1 - Conference Program June 30, 2010

Location: Ballroom, The Yas Hotel
8:00 am: Registration and Welcome Coffee

Morning Session
9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Chairman: Tion Kwa, The National
Mark Sutcliffe UNESCO	Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve - the regions first UNESCO designated biosphere
Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam, Environmental Agency	Importance of protecting the ecology of Bu Tinah
Tanzeed Alam Emirates Wildlife Society/WWF	Water conservation - a solution for the UAE’s Footprint?
Coffee Break
Dr. Farrukh Ahmad Masdar Institute of Science and Technology	Innovative Water & Environmental Projects from BEEL, Masdar Institute
Gregory Acker, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council	Water saving measures of the Pearl Rating System
Glenn Whaley RTI International	Opportunities for Water Conservation in Abu Dhabi

Lunch Break

Afternoon Session
1:45 pm – 4:00 pm
Chairman: Shibu Davies, Tuev Nord
Holley Chant KEO	Water quality and its impact on public health
Toufic Halabi Grohe	Sustainable water strategies, analysis of ROI.
Mario Seneviratne Green Technologies	Integrated strategy for water use reduction
Coffee Break
Peter Neuschaefer Waagner Biro Gulf	Sustainable wastewater treatment practices and their role for biodiversity
Peter Menche. GTZ	Strategic Water Storage / Recovery Project in Liwa

4:15 pm – 5:00 pm Green Lounge Tion Kwa Interactive Panel Discussion

Day 2 - Workshop Program July 1, 2010

Location: Meeting Room 5 & 6, The Yas Hotel
10:30 am: Registration and Welcome Coffee

Workshop 1

Peter Neuschaefer
Waagner Biro Gulf

Truly understanding sustainable waste water treatment

Comparison of different waste water treatment methods
Principles of sustainable waste water treatment
Technical details of the sustainable waste water treatment facilities
Reed bed as an ecosystem
Reed bed as a source for bio-fuel

Lunch Break

Workshop 2

Mario Seneviratne
Green Technologies

Water related rating systems and regulations:

Short introduction to LEED, ESTIDAMA Water Requirements.
General ways of Water Saving Strategies
Reduction of water consumption to fulfill regulations
LEED Online application - practical exercises.

Join the Mangrove Eco Tour

In partnership with Noukhada Adventures, an Eco Tour of the mangroves is scheduled on October 23, 2010. Kayak for 2 hours through beautiful lagoons, narrow channels and under the full canopy of the mangroves. Experience birds, crabs and fish and gain a true understanding of how this eco system works.

The tour is offered at the special discounted rate of AED 150 for the conference attendees. Please ensure to make your bookings and payment during the conference to avail the special discount.

Download Program as PDF!

Registration options:

ًWater Days Conference (June 30, 2010) including Certificate of Attendance issued by the NYIT

Regular fee (after June 17, 2010) for the Conference will be 110 USD (405 AED) per delegate

ًWater Days Conference AND Workshops (June 30 & July 1, 2010) including Certificate of Attendance issued by the NYIT

Regular fee (after June 17, 2010) for Conference and Workshops will be 300 USD (1,105 AED) per delegate

Discount option for corporate registrations: Register two employees for the Workshops on Day 2 and receive a third seat for free. The registration for the Workshops on Day 2 entitles to the participation of the Conference on Day 1.

To register please click here.

Organiser:

Co-organisers

Media Partners

Partners

CO₂- neutral conference in cooperation with Ecoventures

Proven contributors to climate change are the emissions of greenhouse gases, one of them being carbon dioxide, CO₂. In our everyday life it is unavoidable to cause CO₂ emission and to leave a so called CO₂ footprint. E.g. Traveling by car from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a regular car produces 33kg CO₂. A roundtrip flight (economy) from London to Abu Dhabi will produce 2.45t of CO₂ emission. One year use of a fridge can cause a CO₂ emission of around 100kg CO₂/year.

It is possible to compensate unavoidable CO₂ emissions by investing into and thus supporting projects that lead to a direct greenhouse gas reduction, support climate protection and sustainable development. The organizer undertakes to offset the calculated amount of CO₂ emission caused by the event in cooperation with our partner Ecoventures. Offset projects have to fulfill strict regulations. For more information please visit www.Ecoventures.ae

It is our aim to lead with a good example and to leave a green footprint.