IDA 2022 World Congress ‘Charting Resilient Water Solutions' Opening Ceremony Featured Dignitaries And VIPs From Around The World

The IDA World Congress takes place from October 9-13 in Sydney at the International Convention Center, Sydney (ICC Sydney), graciously supported by the New South Wales Government, BeSydney, and Australia Tourism.

The International Desalination Association (IDA) 2022 World Congress, "Charting Resilient Water Solutions," kicked off five innovation and idea-packed days on Monday, October 10, in Sydney, Australia. The much-anticipated World Congress opened with greetings from IDA Secretary General, Ms. Shannon McCarthy, IDA President, Mr. Carlos Cosin, and World Congress Technical Program Committee Chairman, Dr. Mike Dixon. They set the tone for the event's focus on building a sustainable water future.

"As water security becomes more critical to our changing planet, desalination and water reuse solutions are essential to provide clean water for all. The IDA Board of Directors and the IDA team continue to work to strengthen engagement among global stakeholders of the advanced water treatment industry and public utilities. Our community strives to promote solutions that help to ensure access to clean water, as a fundamental right, for all people around the world. We are thankful for all the sponsors of the World Congress, the volunteers who served to confirm an outstanding technical program, and the IDA team for their stellar efforts to present a spectacular event for the community,” said Ms. McCarthy in her opening remarks, addressing a room of experts and VIPs.

After the IDA Secretary General's words, Mr. Gumaroy Newman offered an Australian Welcome to the Country and Hon. Secretary John F. Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, USA, Hon. Minister Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water, Australia, USA, and Hon. Sebastián Piñera Echeñique, Former President of Chile, presented special remarks.

"We are honored to be back in Australia after 11 years," added Mr. Cosin. "Returning to the country of IDA's 2011 World Congress is a testament to how much growth has occurred in the past decade and how our industry's visionary achievements continue to move forward."

Welcome remarks were presented by H.E. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, Governor of Saudi Water Conversion Corporation, H.E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Belajar Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary, Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi, and H.E. Khaled Al Qureshi, CEO, SWPC, Saudi Arabia.

Next was a dynamic panel discussion titled "The Australia Story," moderated by Mr. Neil Palmer, Osmoflo, Ms. Corinne Cheeseman, Australian Water Association, and Mr. Gary Crisp, Water Corporation. The panelists included several experts from the Australian desalination industry.

The IDA World Congress then featured remarks about the IDA World Congress Site Selection, from Committee Chairman Mr. Fady Juez, of Metito; three IDA Moonshots – ideas meant to explore future possibilities on Desalination by Atomic Power with Professor John H. Lienhard V., MIT, Being Water Positive with Mr. Alejandro Sturniolo, H20 Innovation, and The Future of Water with Gavin Van Tonder, NEOM.

With the VIP Opening Ceremony complete, the World Congress' program took off with four daily technical sessions divided into four theaters with global experts presenting their peer-reviewed papers.

IDA's Outback Discussion Program was running in parallel with the technical sessions, wherein 31 IDA 2022 World Congress sponsors presented. Two panels: "Water Reuse: Moving Toward the Future of Water Management," organized between IDA and the Water Reuse Association, and "Let's Hear from the Leading Water Reuse Facilities of the World," moderated by Mr. Guillaume Clairet, from H2O Innovation.

The day's events culminated with a gala dinner and an Industry and Sustainability Awards Ceremony recognizing innovation and leadership across the desalination, water reuse, and advanced treatment industries in 10 categories, including most innovative company, most innovative utility, most progressive, disruptive technology in water reuse, best corporate social responsibility project, and more.

About IDA
The International Desalination Association, established in 1973, is the point of connection for the global desalination and water reuse community. A non-profit association, IDA serves members in more than 60 countries and reaches an additional 15 affiliate member organizations, both regional and national. Its membership comprises scientists, developers, off-takers, regulators, end-users, engineers, consultants, media, and researchers from governments, corporations, and academia. IDA is associated with the United Nations as part of a growing international network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).