Department of Energy - Abu Dhabi wins Visionary Leadership Award as IDRA World Congress 2024 concludes

emirates7 - The Department of Energy - Abu Dhabi (DoE) was honored with the Visionary Leadership for the Most Progressive Disruptive Policy in Water Reuse Award at the IDRA World Congress 2024 Gala Awards Dinner. Held at the Emirates Palace Hotel, the award recognized the DoE’s innovative efforts in addressing global water challenges and its commitment to groundbreaking water reuse policies. The ceremony was attended by senior leaders from the energy and water sectors, along with other distinguished guests.

Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the DoE, accepted the award and commented, "This recognition reflects Abu Dhabi's dedication to pioneering sustainable water management solutions. It underscores the innovative projects and policies we’ve introduced to drive impactful change in water sustainability. Through collaboration, we can make significant strides toward water sustainability, benefiting communities worldwide."

He also emphasized the importance of the partnership with IDRA, which has been crucial in advancing sustainable water management practices by offering a platform for sharing solutions and driving change. "Working with global stakeholders helps ensure that our collective efforts contribute to a water-sustainable future," he added.

Additionally, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative received the IDRA Presidential Award for its substantial impact on addressing global water challenges.

The Gala Awards Dinner was a key moment of the Congress, bringing together experts and leaders in desalination, water reuse, and sustainability to celebrate advancements in line with the Congress’s mission of tackling water scarcity.

The IDRA World Congress 2024, hosted by DoE, concluded with an inspiring Closing Ceremony at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. The Congress, themed ‘Addressing Water Scarcity,’ focused on the urgent challenges facing the water sector while advancing discussions on sustainability, resilience, and innovation.

Over 1,200 attendees from more than 50 countries participated, making the Congress one of the largest gatherings of water industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. The event featured over 225 research papers, more than 100 technical sessions, keynote speeches, and thematic panels, along with a Leaders Summit, a Hackathon at Khalifa University, an XPRIZE Team Summit, and plant tours.

The Congress also sparked important conversations about integrating renewable energy into desalination, advancements in water reuse, and the role of AI and digital solutions in improving water sector efficiency. One of the major discussions revolved around the water-energy nexus, addressing issues such as high residential water consumption and dependence.

Fady Juez, President of IDRA, expressed appreciation for the collaborative atmosphere of the event, stating, "The IDRA World Congress 2024 provided an invaluable platform for shaping the future of global water management. Abu Dhabi’s leadership has been pivotal in advancing this cause, and we are encouraged by the progress made."

The Closing Ceremony also confirmed that the next IDRA World Congress will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, continuing the momentum of the water management agenda.