Global Water Summit to Address Water for Growth

The theme of this year’s Global Water Summit is “Water for Growth” reflecting the fact that water is not just necessary to facilitate economic expansion, but can also, through productivity gains, be an engine of growth in itself. New technologies, better operational practices and inspired leadership are significant factors in creating greater security and success for cities and for businesses.

The Global Water Summit—Water for Growth convenes at the Marriott Rive Gauche hotel in Paris, France, April 7 to 8, 2014. Hosted by Global Water Intelligence and the Intl. Desalination Assn. the conference is the major annual business meeting for international water leaders and top executives from water-using industries.

Key speakers include guest counter-insurgency expert Dr. David Kilcullen, CEO, Caerus Associates. He will argue that access to water is one of the forces shaping the future of armed conflict and will explain the threats to our communities.

David Korenfeld, key water industry speaker (to be confirmed), the director of the Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA) in Mexico. He will outline strategies and remedies that are relevant worldwide.

William Ambrose, head of Global Risk with Norges Bank Investment Management, will explain why one of the world’s largest investors wants corporations to pay more attention to water.

Gail Klintworth, chief sustainability officer with Unilever, will speak about making a business out of being good.

The summit is devoting a major part of its program to water in industry, inviting participants from food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, energy and other water-using industries. Throughout the agenda they will be invited to share key initiatives that could lead to sustainability programs adding value rather than draining the bottom line. In addition to the water stewardship challenge, the summit introduces a new initiative, the 'Zero Impact Project,’ in which participants will play a key part in the project’s development. Other topics will include industrial wastewater in China, water management in mining and wastewater and reuse in Latin America.

Other items on the two-day program are the Water Technology Idol competition for emerging technologies, the ever-popular 40 round-table sessions and individual networking meetings.

On the evening of Monday, April 7, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia and Nobel Laureate, is the guest speaker at the Global Water Awards gala dinner ceremony. The awards acknowledge the most important achievements in the international water industry for the previous year. 

Source: Global Water Leader's Group