Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), has announced the ‘Call for Papers’ for the upcoming second edition of its International Conference in Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate 2021 (IC-SEWEN’21). The four-day hybrid event is scheduled to be held from November 22-25. More than 500 renowned national and international researchers, scientists, engineers, and stakeholders are expected to join efforts to promote a better understanding of the links between energy, water, and the environment, particularly in desert climates, and develop key priority areas for human development and environmental sustainability.

IC-SEWEN’21 will be a platform for collaboration between participants from around the world to share ideas and intensify combined efforts to develop tangible solutions that positively impact the community. Delegates can submit abstracts on any of the 20 themes, including Wastewater Treatment, Sustainable Energy Solutions, Pollution Control, Transportation Electrification, and other such topics connected to mitigating the challenges arising due to climate change. It will feature plenary sessions, workshops, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, as well as a program of specialized activities for school and university students.

Speaking about the event, Dr. Jenny Lawler, chairperson of IC-SEWEN’21 and senior research director for the Water Center, said: “As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Qatar has put a huge emphasis on research, development, and innovation as a pathway to achieving sustainability goals for not just the region, but the globe. The aim of the conference is to bring together experts involved in research, policy, practice, and business related to the EWE nexus, and will be an excellent opportunity to engage in lively discussions and present the latest results.”

She added: “In its second edition, IC-SEWEN’s heart is in Doha, Qatar, but embracing the sustainability gains that the global pandemic has driven, participation in the conference will take place live, around the world – meaning that the travel-related carbon footprint typically associated with an international conference is reduced to almost zero.”

During the first edition of the flagship conference, over 500 participants shared insights on topics such as Water Desalination, Environmental Challenges in a Changing Climate, Sustainable Oil and Gas Processes, Food Security and the EWE Nexus, and Opportunities in Decentralized Energy, among others. Over 1,000 students from various schools in Qatar participated in the inaugural edition of the Young Innovator Award competition. 

Reiterating QEERI’s commitment to finding tangible solutions to Qatar’s grand challenges, Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Executive Director at QEERI, said: “We look forward to having speakers and experts from around the world being part of IC-SEWEN’21. Some of the challenges that we face in Qatar are unique to this particular environment where factors such as dust, high temperature, humidity, and salinity play a key role. Hence, we celebrate the chance to collaborate with specialists dealing with similar concerns when it comes to the EWE nexus, in order to share knowledge, build cooperation and collaboration, and develop solutions towards our collective goals. Together, we can absolutely make a change not just for Qatar and the region, but on a global scale.”

QEERI welcomes submissions of abstracts for oral or poster presentations on various topics relating to sustainability in the energy, water, and environment nexus. The deadline to receive all submissions is August 31, 2021. Selected full papers will be published in leading scientific journals. Abstracts can be submitted at https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icsewen21

Learn more about QEERI’s International Conference on Sustainable Water-Energy-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate 2021 at: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/ICSEWEN21.