The upcoming Gulf Eco 2010 symposium in Muscat will discuss on the challenges of renewable water resources and its rising demands in the GCC countries.

The symposium under the theme “Sustainability, Climate Change, Water, Renewable Energy and the Future of Communities in the Gulf Region” will be held on January 12, 2010 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Muscat.

The GCC countries comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are facing the most severe water shortages in the world, said a report.

The region’s rapid population growth and accelerated socio-economic development have significantly contributed to the increase in water demands, which have escalated from less than 5 billion cubic meter (bcm), in 1970 to more than 32 bcm in 2005.

These demands have been driven mainly by agricultural consumptions, which comprise 85 per cent of total water used, and by rapid urban expansion.

The scarcity of renewable water resources along with the inadequate levels of management and the continuous deterioration of its natural water resources have become the region’s distinguishing features.

To meet domestic water supply requirement, GCC countries have turned to desalination and have become collectively become the world leaders with about 45 per cent of the world capacity.

Dr Waleed K Al Zubari, water resources management program vice president and academic affairs editor-in-chief at the Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research (AGJSR) Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain, will shed light on the topic “Sustainable Water Resources Management in GCC countries”.

Dr Al Zubari will tackle on water management, groundwater resources, desalination and water recycling and its environmental impact.

A panel discussion will also be facilitated by key players from various environment organisations.

“Gulf Eco 2010 will provide participants with the overview of the over-all situation of the GCC environment challenges, opportunities and action plans, various topics and discussions on climate change, water resources, waste water management and renewable energy,’ said Sherwin Sevillena, senior manager – research and development at Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE), the event organiser.

The Gulf Eco 2010 Symposium will provide stakeholders, policy-makers, researchers, academia and leaders in the business community with the best networking platform to determine the initiatives required to reach manageable eco-solutions, said the report.

The conference will be held alongside the Gulf Eco exhibition, which will take place at the Oman International Exhibition Centre from January 11 to 13, 2010. – TradeArabia News Service