Ajman environment conference to see seven global keynote experts

Ajman, UAE, March 01, 2018:  The fifth edition of the Ajman International Environment Conference is to see seven keynote global environment researchers and experts out of 70 international lecturers to chip in the Summit.

Dr. Michael D’Andrae (Adaptation to Climate Change)

The list of keynote speakers includes Dr. Michael D’Andrae, Chief Engineer and Executive Director of Engineering and Construction Services, Toronto, Canada.  D’Andrae has more than 30 years of experience in municipal engineering, water, wastewater and construction services. He has worked in engineering consultancy at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the City of Toronto. 

He initiated several environmental drives, including the city's climate change adaptation strategy to reduce the risk of severe floods and storms, develop and implement the Toronto wetland master plan, and guidelines that promote green infrastructure and low-impact development in support of green 'Toronto' standards.

Dr. Banu Ormeci (Sewage Treatment)

The conference is also to see Dr. Banu Ormeci, Head of Research in Wastewater Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, USA. 

The American professor has an internationally recognized research program on wastewater treatment and bio-solids. She has conducted numerous research projects that won a number of scientific awards. These are apart from her teaching role at the university. She is also the Chair of the Sludge Management Group at the International Water Society. Her scientific researches on improving on improving treatment processes have helped her obtain multiple patents, and opened new operations in the market.

Dr. Nick Stow (Protection of 'Ecological' Systems)

The keynote speakers also include Dr. Nick Stow who is the first planner in the flexibility of the Natural System Planning Unit in the City of Ottawa, Canada. He is to discuss the policies, initiatives, partnerships and investments implemented by the Canadian city to protect the integrity and diversity of the 'ecological' systems there. 

Nick Stow has a PhD in ecology from the University of Ottawa where he studied the sustainability of selected forest management in the Northern Hardwood Forests. He is also experienced in environmental planning, forest environment, wetland environment and restoration. He and his colleagues are developing climate change and energy policies in the city, conducting watershed-based land use planning exercises, and protecting natural 'ecosystems' and biodiversity.

Vladimir Smakhtin “Shortage of Water”

Vladimir Smakhtin, Director, UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNUIWEH), is to review the global water situation and prospects for emptying the potential of water resources. Smakhtin underscores the importance of water-scarce countries' initiative to plan and implement projects beyond traditional water resources to address water scarcity and climate change adaptation. 

Vladimir Smakhtin has an extensive experience in water resources assessment and management. He is also specialised in the design and management of multi-disciplinary research programs, including climate change and water resources, river hydrology, environmental flow, tool development, low flows, drought, global water scarcity, hydrology of unsaturated ponds, reduction of water-related disaster risks, water storage planning and agricultural water management.
 
Tetsunari Iida (Renewable Energy)

Tetsunari Iida is the President and Founder of the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies in Japan, a leading innovator in renewable energy. The 'social innovator' has presented so many environmental initiatives as an executive director of the Institute and proposed nuclear energy-free energy policies, and renewable energy projects in Japan.
 
Dr. Ali Sayegh: (Underground Water)

Dr. Ali Sayegh, the head of energy at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, is an expert in renewable energy at AOPEC. Dr. Sayegh is to highlight some of the challenges and obstacles to sustainable groundwater management. 

He is to discuss the factors that affect the availability and quality of groundwater. He is also to make some suggestions for innovative ways to overcome existing barriers, including groundwater treatment measures in the context of adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. 

Dr. Sayegh graduated from the University of London, and Imperial College in 1966. He is a Fellow of the Energy Institute, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, and an Accredited Engineer, President of the Iraqi Energy Institute, and Founder and President of ISES since 1979. He chaired the British Solar Society for three years, and a consultant to many national and international organizations.

Ralf Klingbeil (Water Policies)

Ralph Klingbel is a senior water, environment and sustainable development specialist at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany. He has an extensive experience in environmental and water policy consultancy and management in the Middle East and Africa. He initially worked as an expert in hydrology, geophysics. He is a geologist with more than 20 years of professional experience in university research, instruction, consultancy for private and public institutions, let alone his advisory services to the United Nations agencies and German federal ministries as a groundwater specialist, water and land consultant and resource management in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.