Organized by The Center for Sustainable Development under QU’s College of Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, UNESCO Chair in Desalination and Water Treatment and HighRec project
Qatar-German Water Sustainability Day (QGWSD 2023) was held on 5 March in Qatar University (QU) Library. Desalination is the primary water source in Qatar, followed by fresh groundwater extraction and reuse of treated wastewater. Most of the water produced in Qatar is oriented for agricultural and domestic purposes followed by the other sectors. Although desalination is one of the most popular processes for dealing with an increasing demand for high-quality water, it has many negative effects. The water extracted from the inland wells is becoming increasingly saline due to overuse, over-pumping, declining groundwater levels, and subsequent seawater intrusion.
Moreover, desalination is an energy-intensive process with high energy requirements and high associated CO2 emissions in the case of conventional energy supply. The main topics on the Qatar-German Water Day will be on desalination that is integrated with renewable energy and solar energy. In addition to brine management and industrial water treatment. Five German faculties will be in Qatar for keynote and oral presentations.
QGWSD 2023 is organized by The Center for Sustainable Development under QU’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, UNESCO Chair in Desalination and Water Treatment and HighRec project.
The opening of QGWSD 2023 was held in the presence of Prof. Ahmed Elzatahry, Dean of QU’s College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Khalifa Al Hazaa, Associate Dean for Sciences and Applied Sciences, CAS and a group of faculty members and researchers at QU, and hosted by a group of speakers from Germany. Prof. Sami Sayadi, Director of QU’s Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), gave the introduction speech.
Dr. Khalifa Al-Hazza, said that the QGWSD 2023 will discuss issues related to water scarcity, water security and treatment technologies for sustainable management of this vital resource through the participation of researchers and stakeholders from both countries to come up with strategies and recommendations to enhance current and future cooperation.
This day is the most prominent example of how effective the collaboration between the Center for Sustainable Development and the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences is to help the UNESCO Chair to collect different experiences and present them to the community, thereby supporting the decision-making process. This event is in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasizes the need for sustainable social and economic growth while preserving the environment for future generations in the country.