Several prominent government officials from the Middle East are among the world leaders confirmed to present at the World Cities Summit (WCS) and Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) later this month. Held concurrently between 28 June and 2 July, the international events will address issues on the practical aspects of city governance as well as integrated approaches to urban development and water management under the summit's theme of ‘Liveable and Sustainable Cities for the Future' and ‘Sustainable Cities: Clean and Affordable Water'. Joining the line-up of international speakers from the Middle East are H.E. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi (EAD); Dr Fahil Safar Ali Safar, Minister of Public Works and Municipal Affairs, Kuwait; H.E. Loay Al-Musallam, CEO, National Water Company, Saudi Arabia; H.E. Fehied Al-Shareef, Governor, Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Saudi Arabia; H.E. Dr Mahmoud Abu Zeid, President, Arab Water Council and Dr Safwat Abdel-Dayam, Secretary General, Arab Water Council, among others. With urban populations across the MENA region forecast to grow by 25% over the next 10 years, sustainable urban development has become a priority concern for local planning groups. During the WCS, Middle East delegates will share insights and experiences from the region and engage with other world leaders to seek innovative solutions to challenges faced by cities today. Key issues to be addressed include policy development, trade and investment, transport, environment, sustainable development and social development. Reinforcing the UAE's commitment to address climate change, H.E. Al Mansouri from the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, will participate in a panel discussion about balancing the development and environment in high growth cities. As the lead agency for implementing Abu Dhabi's Environment, Health and Safety Management System, Al Mansouri will comment on the importance of policy and community engagement in promoting the sustainable development of the emirate. At the SIWW conference, Middle East delegates will learn about efficient and cost effective solutions to address water problems in a constantly changing environment, including ensuring the availability of clean water. Given the geographical location of the GCC countries in one of the most water-stressed regions of the world, water conservation and renewability is increasingly in focus. According to the Arab Water Academy, only three Arab countries suffered from water scarcity in 1955. Today, the number has risen to 11, with another seven anticipated to join the list by 2025. Exhibitors at the WCS and SIWW hope to build on the existing number of Singapore infrastructure companies engaged in high profile projects in the Middle East. Among them is the Singapore-based utilities and marine company Sembcorp, which recently reached an important milestone in the development of its power and water business in the GCC. Expansion of its power and desalination plant in Fujairah has boosted the plant's power capacity by over 40%, making it one of the largest desalination plants in the world. In Abu Dhabi, Singaporean building consultant and township planning company Surbana is developing the capital's Tourism Development & Investment Company headquarters. Using innovative building technologies and embodying Surbana's philosophy of holistic green design, this US$163 million development will consume 26% less energy than a baseline building. International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is the lead agency spearheading the development of Singapore's external economic wing. With the mission of promoting the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises and international trade, WCS and SIWW will play an important role for IE Singapore in showcasing the island nation's leading industries and water technologies. Mr Lim Ban Hoe, Group Director (Middle East & Africa) at IE Singapore said: “Both the World Cities Summit and Singapore International Water Week address issues that are central to the successful development of countries in the Middle East. The GCC is one of the key markets for Singapore-based companies looking to expand internationally. The WCS and SIWW will encourage this expansion by facilitating industry knowledge sharing, building trade ties and initiating and strengthening partnerships between Singapore and Middle Eastern companies.” IE Singapore has a total of five overseas centers in the Middle East, each located in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah. ** Press Release from World Cities Summit BM
