First call for papers for the 3rd International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments (2008) and the 1st Arab Water Forum

This conference will take place in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) during the days 16-19 November 2008, and will be accompanied by an exhibition, which will be open to all parties who share a concern with water-related issues.

Conference Objectives :

1. To enrich the awards ceremony of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water with related scientific activities.

2. To develop knowledge and share information in water resources and desert-related fields.

3. To explore the use of new technologies in the study of arid and semi-arid environments and their natural resources.

4. To provide an opportunity for decision makers, experts, and scientists in the Arab World to share their expertise in order to find integrative and comprehensive solutions for water resource problems in the region.

Conference Themes:

          Theme I. Water Resources
          Topics:

1. Sedimentation control in surface water systems.

2. Exploration and assessment of ground water resources.

3. Innovative methods and systems in desalinization and the Arab experience. with desalinization and its economies.

4. Alternative (non-traditional) water resources and their associated technologies.

5. Water harvesting and ground water recharge.

6. Surface and groundwater monitoring systems and pollution assessment.

7. Dams.

8. Legislative, administrative and legal aspects of water-resource issues.
    

          Theme II. Water Conservation
          Topics:

1. Water conservation in the agricultural sector.

2. Water conservation in the industrial sector.

3. Modern technologies for water conservation and loss-minimization in drinking water infrastructures.

          Theme III. Climate Change and its Impact on Water Resources and Arid Environments
          Topics:

1. Pollution of desert environments.

2. Climate change and its impact on the arid environment.

3. Vegetation cover in arid environments.

4. Conservation of biodiversity in arid environments.

5. Sustainable development of natural resources in arid environments.

6. Protection of wildlife in the desert environment.

7. Desertification and its control in Arab countries.

          Theme IV. Utilization of New Technologies in the Study of Arid Environments and their Natural Resources
          Topics:

1. Remote sensing systems and techniques.

2. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

3. Biotechnology.

4. Modern measuring systems and devices.

5. Utilization of sustainable energy in water resource development.
    

          Theme V. Advancement of Arab Water Policy towards Development
          Topics:

1. Policies and long-term integrated management of water demand.

2. Role of applied research in supporting decision-making that yields optimal economic returns.

3. Experiments for cost-effective maintenance and operation of water distribution systems for various purposes.

4. Mechanisms for user participation in decision-making for various development programs .

5. Water feasibility studies for development programs being carried out under conditions of water scarcity.

          Theme VI. Management of Water Crises in the Arab World
          Topics:

1. Transboundary water resources and international treaties.

2. Examples of shared aquifer management between countries and the danger of external ambitions on Arab water.

3. The Arab experiences with establishing cooperative systems for organizations concerned with water crisis management.

4. Principles of calculating virtual water to avoid possible water crises.

Workshops:

1. Ministerial workshop: Water Security and Sustainable Development.

2. Strategies and national planning for water resources in the Arab World.

Deadline for Submitting Abstracts:

Abstracts must be submitted on or before Wednesday, 30 April 2008.

Deadline for Submitting Full Papers:

Full research papers must be submitted on or before Wednesday, 3 September 2008.

Conference Themes:

          Theme I. Water Resources
          Topics:

1. Sedimentation control in surface water systems.

2. Exploration and assessment of ground water resources.

3. Innovative methods and systems in desalinization and the Arab experience. with desalinization and its economies.

4. Alternative (non-traditional) water resources and their associated technologies.

5. Water harvesting and ground water recharge.

6. Surface and groundwater monitoring systems and pollution assessment.

7. Dams.

8. Legislative, administrative and legal aspects of water-resource issues.
    

          Theme II. Water Conservation
          Topics:

1. Water conservation in the agricultural sector.

2. Water conservation in the industrial sector.

3. Modern technologies for water conservation and loss-minimization in drinking water infrastructures.

          Theme III. Climate Change and its Impact on Water Resources and Arid Environments
          Topics:

1. Pollution of desert environments.

2. Climate change and its impact on the arid environment.

3. Vegetation cover in arid environments.

4. Conservation of biodiversity in arid environments.

5. Sustainable development of natural resources in arid environments.

6. Protection of wildlife in the desert environment.

7. Desertification and its control in Arab countries.

          Theme IV. Utilization of New Technologies in the Study of Arid Environments and their Natural Resources
          Topics:

1. Remote sensing systems and techniques.

2. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

3. Biotechnology.

4. Modern measuring systems and devices.

5. Utilization of sustainable energy in water resource development.
    

          Theme V. Advancement of Arab Water Policy towards Development
          Topics:

1. Policies and long-term integrated management of water demand.

2. Role of applied research in supporting decision-making that yields optimal economic returns.

3. Experiments for cost-effective maintenance and operation of water distribution systems for various purposes.

4. Mechanisms for user participation in decision-making for various development programs .

5. Water feasibility studies for development programs being carried out under conditions of water scarcity.

          Theme VI. Management of Water Crises in the Arab World
          Topics:

1. Transboundary water resources and international treaties.

2. Examples of shared aquifer management between countries and the danger of external ambitions on Arab water.

3. The Arab experiences with establishing cooperative systems for organizations concerned with water crisis management.

4. Principles of calculating virtual water to avoid possible water crises.

Workshops:

1. Ministerial workshop: Water Security and Sustainable Development.

2. Strategies and national planning for water resources in the Arab World.

Deadline for Submitting Abstracts:

Abstracts must be submitted on or before Wednesday, 30 April 2008.

Deadline for Submitting Full Papers:

Full research papers must be submitted on or before Wednesday, 3 September 2008.