Dubai puts a spotlight on climate change and the waste industry

Dubai Municipality and Turret Middle East host the second Middle East Waste Summit in Dubai Media City

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 31 March 2010: Following the success of the first Middle East Waste Summit in Dubai in 2009, the organisers are pleased to announce that this premier networking platform for the region’s waste management and recycling industries will be repeated with the full support of Dubai Municipality. The Summit will take place at The Palladium in Dubai Media City between 18-20 May 2010.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, the Middle East Waste Summit has been developed by Dubai Municipality to open up a much needed dialogue with governments and businesses in the region.

Mr Salah Amiri, Assistant Director General for Public Health and Environmental Services Sector of Dubai Municipality commented: “Dubai today creates more than 10,000 tonnes of general waste a day, one of the highest quantities in the region. Sustainability is at the heart of future development and this event will bring best practices and leaders under one roof to support Dubai’s leadership vision.”

“Recycling can make good environmental and economic sense given the right conditions. But there are other options like landfill and incineration which must and will be studied to ensure we are applying the best solution suitable to our country. We hope that participants during the Summit will not only help in finding the right solutions through exchange of knowledge, but also contribute to the future success of Dubai by ensuring a more sustainable environment,” he added.

Rapid urbanisation, high population growth rates, diversified cultures, floating populations and high consumption have brought about significant waste management challenges to many cities in the GCC region – these countries now collectively produce more than 120 million tonnes of waste every year. The Middle East Waste Summit will call on the international community to recognise their responsibilities and emphasize the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.

“Through an international exhibition, keynote conference sessions and round table debates, Municipalities from across the region are being brought face-to-face with thousands of waste management experts and environmental organisations to share strategies, explore best practice and develop partnerships,” said Chris Fountain, Managing Director of Turret Middle East.

The Summit will involve more than 100 business leaders making keynote presentations, participating in panel debates or moderating round table sessions. Beginning with a VIP Opening Ceremony chaired by Mostafa Kamal Tolba, President, International Centre for Environment and Development (ICED), and former Executive Director – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and entitled ‘Global climate change and the waste industry,’ the conference will continue to tackle topics such as: waste avoidance and resource management; policy, regulation and enforcement; waste to energy; strategies for municipal waste and recycling; the role of landfill; waste procurement strategies; managing industrial and construction waste.

Commenting on the decision to move the event from its 2009 location at Dubai Airport Expo to The Palladium in Dubai Media City, Chris Fountain said, “The high calibre of international speakers that we have on the programme this year coupled with the planned attendance of several Government Ministers has prompted us to search for a brand new home for the Summit. At The Palladium we can take advantage of some of the newest conference facilities in the city – the venue houses a purpose built conference centre and plenty of modern exhibition space for our exhibitors. This is good news for the Summit and good news for our visitors to Dubai.”

View the full speaker line-up and exhibitor list at www.wastesummit.com