Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), in collaboration with Elsevier and ConocoPhillips Qatar, has inaugurated the second International Conference on Desalination and Environment (ICODE 2016).
ICODE, a prestigious international conference held every three years, is being hosted in Qatar for the first time. The three-day conference, taking place at the Sheraton Doha, concludes tomorrow.
The event aims to address cutting-edge research issues in water treatment and desalination science and techniques by internationally renowned experts in the field.
The event began with a welcome speech from QEERI deputy director for water research Dr Nidal Hilal, who is also editor-in-chief of international journal Desalination and chairman of the conference.
He said: “Qatar heavily depends on desalinated seawater to satisfy 99% of its municipal water demand. Therefore, developing technologies with increasing energy efficiency, reduced cost, minimum health risks, and environmental impact is a priority to the country and this conference.”
“Hosting such important international conferences in Qatar provide a venue for experts from around the world to exchange ideas and foster collaboration that can be beneficial to advancing the research agenda of both QEERI and Qatar. In addition, this will put Qatar on the international map as a hub for innovation and knowledge exchange,” he added.  
ConocoPhillips’ Global Water Sustainability Centre (GWSC) is supporting ICODE 2016 as Platinum Sponsor.  
Dr Samer Adham, water solutions manager at ConocoPhillips, said: “We are pleased to be the exclusive Platinum Sponsor for ICODE as it provides a forum for academics and members of the desalination industry to meet with scientists from around the world and discuss advances in the fields of desalination and water treatment.
“GWSC is committed to develop innovative water solutions on the global scale as well as promote water conservation in Qatar, and support of important industry events such as this is a vital part of our on-going efforts. We will continue to look for opportunities that help contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Adham stressed that water security has been identified by the Qatar government as a key challenge for the country.
“Given that Qatar’s population is expected to increase in the future, demand for water is also likely to rise significantly. The quality of life of future generations rests on how we manage key resources. Part of our work at GWSC is exchanging with other internationally renowned experts on desalination and related technologies so we are better able to address the water security challenges Qatar is facing,” Adham said.
As well as learning about the work of other water professionals, GWSC will also be presenting two technical papers during ICODE on Membrane Distillation and Forward Osmosis.
Adham will also be giving a keynote speech on ‘Desalination applications and opportunities in the oil/gas industry’.
QEERI is a research and development entity under Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF).