I welcome your participation in this extremely important event. The Gulf Region is one of the most arid regions on the planet and its water cnsumption exceeds the renewable water resources it receives through rainfall. The World Bank report of August 2008 launched in Cairo predicts the availability of renewable water in the Middle East will decline by 50% by the year 2050. The Middle East hosts 5% of the world’s population but possesses only 1% of the world’s renewable fresh water. Gulf countries spend billions of dollars per year for water and wastewater management. We need more cost effective, innovative, and sustainable technologies to help prevent the coming water
shortage. Nonrenewable resources such as sea water desalination, recycling and innovative conservation policies to control human and agriculture consumption can play an important role in mitigating the water shortage but should be done in a manner that doesn’t harm the environment.

Water Arabia 2009 was organized to highlight the magnitude of the water scarcity in the region and promote dialogue and networking between all water industry stakeholders to better address the vital issue of water availability.

The theme of Water Arabia 2009 is “Innovative Water & Wastewater Reuse Technologies.” The program has been designed to provide the Gulf Region water professionals with information on innovative water and wastewater technologies that can be used to help the Gulf Region develop a sustainable water environment.

Many thanks to His Excellency Fahmi Bin Ali Al Jowder, the Bahrain Minister of Works, Minister in charge of the Bahrain Electricity and Water Authority, the organizers, the sponsors, the presenters, and the exhibitors who are making this event possible.

Mazen I. Snobar, Executive Director
Saudi Aramco, Community Services
Conference Committee Chairman