Panellists during the IC-SEWEN’19 at the Qatar National Convention Center.
A large number of delegates and guests attended an interesting panel discussion on ‘Implementing a Policy Framework to Support Sustainable Development through the Water-Energy-Environment Nexus, during the final day of the International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climates 2019 (IC-SEWEN’19).
IC-SEWEN’19, which was held at the Qatar National Convention Centre from December 2 to 5, is the flagship conference of the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
The four-day conference showcased a multitude of sessions including panels, round tables, oral and poster presentations on various topics related to the opportunities and challenges across the energy, environment, water and food security tracks. These sessions were attended by more than 400 delegates – scientists, researchers, engineers and students – from around the world.
“I am pleased to attend this important conference, which seeks to address vital topics that can no longer be individually shouldered by countries, regions, or economies. The global challenges we address here require collective efforts. Addressing water and energy security topics, through established processes, is quite important and relevant to the developmental prospects of all countries,” said Dr. Ahmad M Hasnah, President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
Over 1000 students participated in the Young Innovator competition where they submitted short videos showcasing how objectives related to certain sustainable development goals can be achieved. The Philippines International School, Compass International School, and Awfaz Global School walked away with top prizes in the senior, intermediate and junior categories.
University students from Qatar and around the world also competed in the Student Oral and Poster presentations in energy, environment, water and food security. The winner in each category won a cash prize of $300.
Breakout sessions during the conference explored topics such as water desalination, environmental challenges in a changing climate, sustainable oil and gas processes, food security and energy-water-environment nexus, and opportunities in decentralised energy, among others. Pre-event activities also featured a panel discussion on Unlocking the Potential of Women for Sustainable Development, and a workshop on Corrosion Management, and one on PV Technologies for the Desert Climate.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Marc Vermeersh thanked the delegates and guests, and said: “It has been a delightful event – a journey of four days bringing together various perspectives in research, development, technology and innovation. The diversity that we have seen at QEERI IC-SEWEN: nationality, gender, technical expertise and mindsets is remarkable, and we hope that this conference has set up a platform to build a more solid network, and collaborations through which we can combine efforts to tackle the challenges relating to the energy-water-environment nexus.”
The conference also offered a number of social activities including golfing at the Education City Golf Club, a welcome reception sponsored and hosted by Shaikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, and various tours showcasing Qatar. It ended with a gala dinner at the desert organized by 365 Adventures.
