Qatar - Qeeri conference focuses on challenges of desert climates

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The second edition of the International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climates (ICSEWEN21) opened with a high-level plenary session Monday.
The biennial conference is the flagship event of the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (Qeeri), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).


Dignitaries at the event

The plenary speeches were delivered by HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, chairman of Al-Attiyah Foundation; HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, chairman of the Joint Advisory Board of Texas A&M University at Qatar and former Minister of Energy and Industry and Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, president of Kahramaa.
HBKU president Dr Ahmad M Hasnah; Dr Richard O'Kennedy, vice president for research, development, and innovation at Qatar Foundation, and vice president for research at HBKU and Dr Marc Vermeersch, executive director at Qeeri were present. The conference was held in a hybrid format with a live-streamed and in-person inaugural ceremony, attended by ambassadors and CEOs, as well as directors of organisations, scientists, engineers, students, and stakeholders from Qatar and the world.
HE al-Attiyah noted that the conference provides a platform for experts and stakeholders in the Energy-Water-Environment Nexus to highlight crucial research being conducted.
He said:“Energy depends on water for generation, extraction, transport, and processing - and the entire water system, from production, to treatment to distribution, requires energy. At the same time, increasing water and energy requirements have significant effects on the natural environment. Therefore, it is imperative that we address the interdependencies in order to achieve sustainability goals.”
Al-Kuwari noted:“Kahramaa is pleased to be the strategic partner of ICSEWEN21 and Qeeri. The increasing demand for water and energy - with the ongoing developments in Qatar - has made it important to understand their interdependence. Also, it becomes vital to study the Energy-Water-Environment Nexus which can effectively contribute to meeting these demands if well planned.'
Underlining Qeeri's focus on sustainability, Dr Vermeersch said:“These are global realities that stare us in the face and are no longer isolated issues relevant to countries like Qatar, or others in the region. Qeeri aims to foster a very strong culture in research, development, and innovation. Through our institute's seven pillars, we strive to join forces with leaders in policy, research, industry, and academia, to bring practical and meaningful solutions that will make a significant difference.”
Dr Jenny Lawler, ICSEWEN21 chairperson, echoed the same view and said:“Bringing together experts from different fields enables a multi-perspective discussion, which can lead to building more effective solutions to the challenges we face today. The idea of collaborative efforts is at the core of ICSEWEN21, and we are grateful to our partners and sponsors for their support in making this event a success.”

MENAFN23112021000067011011ID1103233987