The inaugural Middle East Waste Summit (MEWS) attracted nearly 3000 industry professionals from over 50 countries, representing governments, industry projects, academia, private organisations and waste generators.

The summit ran from May 26 to 28 at Dubai Airport Expo Centre.

The summit launched a range of initiatives to address the urgent need to deliver waste management and recycling solutions to the region, which ranks at the top of the world’s waste producers.

Eng Hussein Lootah, director general of the Dubai Municipality, who inaugurated the summit, commented on the necessity of such an event, pointing out how the amount of waste arriving at the municipal garbage dump has increased to a staggering 11,000 tonnes in the year 2008 in comparison to 3,000 tonnes in the year 2000.

The event covered a range of themes such as waste and its effect on global warming, economy and the environment, domestic waste control, medical waste management, industrial waste management, landfills and waste, and energy solutions to support the summit’s objectives.

Roundtables were also held for professionals to debate key issues and possible solutions on waste and recycling in small groups of ten.

During the summit, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Dubai Municipality and Imdaad, a Dubai World company that offers outsourced management services in facilities management and consultancy, helping mark the successful debut of MEWS.

“The first MEWS was very successful,” said Eng. Hassan Mohammed Makki, Director of the Waste Management Department, Dubai Municipality.

“It attracted a significant number of visitors and participants, as well as major lecturers. Furthermore, the summit delivered its key messages about the many issues and solutions regarding waste management and stressed the importance of enhancing the cooperation between the private and public sector,” he added.

Tanzeed Alam, climate change and sustainability director at EWS-WWF, said: “Considering the UAE consumes the equivalent of 4.5 planets worth of natural resources, there is clearly room for improvement, and the participation of Dubai in this summit is a welcome first step.”

“Tackling waste throughout the entire life-cycle will not only help us to avoid the risks posed by climate change, but moreover, help realize the multitude of opportunities that exist to create a healthier environment through leading more sustainable lifestyles, innovation, creation of new markets and products,” Alam added. – TradeArabia News Service