6 - 10 April 2025
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Muscat, Oman
Chief Executive Officer - Nama Water Services
Qualifications:
Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University-2017
MSc in Major Programme Management from the University of Oxford– 2013
MSc Utilities Regulation - London School of Economics, UK - 2006
BSBA Finance and Economics - High Honors, GPA 3.8 - University of Louisville, USA – 2002
Summary
He started his career as an Economist at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority before joining the Authority for Electricity Regulation as a Regulatory Advisor in the Office of the Executive Director in 2007. During his professional career, Qais assumed direct responsibility for the regulation of the electricity sector and contributed to the expansion in scope and the establishment of other regulatory institutions in Oman.
He also advised the government on fuel diversity issues and the development of renewable energy projects while ensuring the electricity sector continues to operate efficiently and attract foreign investments.
He has extensive experience in restructuring and change management from his time as Chairman of Oman Postal Company and his participation as a member in the restructuring of the water and waste water steering committee.
Beyond the water sector, Qais is also actively involved on a number of steering committees and boards in various sectors including:
• Steering Committee Member of the National Program for Fiscal Balance (Tawazun)
• Board Member at OQ
• Board Member at National Olympic Committee
• Deputy Chairman of Oman Aviation Group
• Chairman of Oman Aviation Services 2019-2021
• Chairman of Oman Postal Company 2014-2016
Professional Experience:
2021-to date Chief Executive Officer– Nama Water Services
2014-2021 Executive Director– Authority for Public Services Regulation
2009-2014 Deputy Executive Director – Authority for Electricity Regulation
2007-2009 Regulatory Advisor – Authority for Electricity Regulation
2003-2007 Economist – Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
Regional Manager – Middle East & North Africa- UNFCCC - Green Climate Fund
Director of Water Research Center - Sultan Qaboos University
Strategic Planning Head - Nama Water Services
Nasser Al Yahyai serves as the Head of Strategic Planning at Nama Water Services, bringing over 18 years of extensive experience across strategic planning, performance management, and engineering. In his current role, he leads the development and execution of corporate strategy, ensuring alignment across departments and driving long-term value creation for a customer base exceeding 850,000 across Oman. Nasser has been instrumental in formulating Nama Water Services’ 5-Year Strategic Plan, ensuring its alignment with national development priorities and the expectations of key shareholders.
General Manager of Water Resources Assessment - Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Wealth & Water Resources
Member of the Strategic Advisory Group of the IMI UN Water and Former Minister in Charge of Water, Moroccan Government
Charafat Afailal, was the Minister in charge of water in the Moroccan government between 2013 and 2018 and is currently an international expert on water resources
Mrs Afailal was and is the member of board of several international organizations including Global Water Partnership (from 2021-2023) and member of Strategic Advisory Group of IMI UN_Water.
Mrs Afailal has been elected recently member of UN Committee of Economic, Social and Cultural Right for 2025-2028 mandate.
Over the past 27 years since graduating with Engineering degree, Ms Charafat Afailal has accumulated a rich expertise in the field of: water governance, planning, integrated water resources management, climate change adaptation strategies, Gender mainstreaming in water sector, Management and implementation of Nexus projects, PPP projects structuring…
Ms Charafat Afailal also played an important role in the recognition of water as the sector most affected by climate change, which culminated in the organisation of the Water Action Day during COP 22 by CCNUCC, in this sense she chaired the first International Conference on Water and Climate in Rabat in 2016.
Mrs. Afailal is a dedicated lecturer specializing in water policies and strategies. With a strong focus on sustainable water management. She has published numerous articles in the field of water governance and sustainable development.,
Mrs Charafat Afailal is a former parliamentarian in the Moroccan Representative House from 2011 to 2013.
Chief Planning and Asset Management Officer - Nama Water Services
Senior Water Resources Management Officer - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Waleed is a distinguished expert in water management with over two decades of experience dating
back to 1996. His impressive career includes successful management of irrigation projects and
substantial contributions to international water management development. From 2018 to 2023, he
excelled as a water resources management expert at FAO, following a senior advisory role with
various international organizations from 1998 to 2018. This trajectory led to his promotion to the
position of professor of water resources management in 2020.
Educationally, Waleed holds two noteworthy PhD degrees in water management, reflecting his
commitment to innovative approaches to addressing water challenges, particularly in arid regions.
His academic achievements were further acknowledged through a prestigious post-doctoral
fellowship from the Japanese Society for Science and Technology (JSPS) between 2007 and 2009.
He has led numerous irrigation projects at global, regional, and national levels, showcasing his
expertise in integrated water resources management, irrigation modernization, RS/GIS-based
water project management, water reuse, water accounting, smart irrigation, water productivity, and
solar-powered water pumping. His substantial body of research, including over 70 articles in
esteemed international journals, underscores his dedication to advancing the field. Additionally,
Waleed serves as a highly respected reviewer for several prestigious international journals and is
an esteemed member of various international societies, including the International Commission on
Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). Currently, he holds a significant role as the lead technical officer
for multiple irrigation projects across KSA, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, and other GCC countries, where
his expertise continues to drive sustainable water management solutions.
President, International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage
Chief Contracts Management & Reliability & Local Content Officer Saudi Water Partnership Company SWPC
Dr. Arafat Aljabri is a visionary Senior Executive with over 27 years of rich Leadership experience in the Water Desalination sector. He has a proven track record of achieving Operational excellence and driving Business growth within Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.
Dr. Arafat began his academic journey with a “BSc degree in Chemical Engineering” from King Saud University in 1996. Later earned a “MSc degree in Business Administration” from King Abdulaziz University, KSA in 2006, followed by “PhD in Business Administration” from Al-Madinah International University, Malaysia in 2022.
Dr. Arafat started his Professional career in in the Saline Water Conversion Company (SWCC) where he held the position of Operations Division Manager for 12 years, followed by as a Production Engineer in SABIC Petrochemicals and moved to Marafiq Power & Water Utilities, where he led the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Team, improving system reliability and operational performance.
In 2013, he joined with Saudi Water Partnership Company (SPWC), where he currently serves as Chief Officer of Contracts Management, Reliability & Local Content Division, overseeing the privatization of the Kingdom’s water sector, including water desalination, sewage treatment, and water infrastructure projects.
Dr. Arafat’s strategic leadership continues to drive Saudi Arabia’s water sector transformation, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future in line with the Kingdom’s vision.
Director General Water & Waste Water Regulation - Authority for Public Services Regulation
Senior Manager - Research, Development and Innovation - Oman Investment Authority
“Dr. Mohamed Al-Rawahi has an extensive RDI experience working with both academic and business settings. His academic background includes B.sc & M.sc from college of Agricultural and Marine Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PhD in Agro-ecosystem from Kassel University, Germany, and PostDoc in wastewater treatment from Helmholtz Center for Environmental Researches (UFZ), Germany”.
Senior O&M Trainer - Saudi Water Authority
Eng. Sultan Salem Alshammari holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Dayton, USA. He has over 6 years of experience at the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) in Ras Al-Khari Desalination plant, in Jubail Central Workshop, in the Water Academy, and at Hadeed SABIC.
Throughout his career at SWA, he has held various roles, including Power Plant Supervisor, Mechanical Workshop Supervisor, Mechanical Workshop Senior Engineer, and Senior Mechanical Technician. Currently, he serves as Senior O&M Trainer. His work focuses on training on mechanical field such as pump, compressor, valves, turbines...etc.
Acting General Manager, People Operations - Nama Water Services
Hamed Khalfan Al Ghaithi is a seasoned professional with over 19 years of experience in water and wastewater services, higher education, and healthcare. As Acting General Manager of People Operations at OWWSC, he leads strategic HR initiatives, optimizes workforce performance, and drives cultural transformation.
Hamed holds dual master’s degrees in Business Administration (Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK) and Strategic Quality Management (University of Portsmouth, UK), as well as a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman). A certified lead auditor in ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001, and 55001, he champions quality, sustainability, health, safety, and environment (HSE).
In his role as IMS & Business Excellence Senior Manager, Hamed led OWWSC’s ISO certifications and integrated management systems, enhancing workplace safety and operational resilience. He successfully spearheaded cultural initiatives like OWWSC’s Culture Journey, fostering belonging and driving business performance.
A recognized speaker, Hamed has shared insights on cultural transformation, HSE, sustainability, and organizational excellence on national and international platforms. He is committed to advancing Oman’s water sector, embedding business excellence and HSE to create a positive impact on the community and environment.
Executive Director - Business Development & Growth Management - Saudi Water Partnership Company SWPC
Mohammed bin Ahmed Alyousif is a seasoned executive with extensive expertise in business development and strategic investments, particularly in the water and infrastructure sectors. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Business Development and growth at the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), where he leads efforts to develop projects and foster public-private partnerships (PPP) to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and an Executive MBA. With over 15 years of experience in the water sector, he has worked across various international and local partnerships in both the public and private sectors. His expertise spans the design and execution of sustainable growth strategies, the development of innovative financing models for infrastructure projects, and the successful negotiation of strategic agreements.
Additionally, he has extensive experience in managing relationships with government entities and investors, driving collaboration among key stakeholders to achieve economic and developmental objectives.
Project Manager- ISTP & ISWR Transaction - Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC)
Khalid has built his career in infrastructure and utilities, starting in Oil & Gas project development at Saipem from 2018 to 2020. He then worked for the Qiddiya project, focusing on infrastructure development, before joining the Transaction Division at the Saudi Water Partnership Company in 2022. At SWPC, he supported the successful delivery of two major PPP transactions for large-scale projects, one of which was the first of its kind to be procured under a PPP model in the region. Currently, he is leading the transactions for two Independent Sewage Treatment Plants, which are now in their bidding stage.
Beyond PPP procurement, Khalid has experience in developing Business Cases for PPP projects, addressing financial, legal, and technical aspects.
His experience is backed by a B.S. in Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and he is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at King Saud University.
Director of Operational Performance - Seureca - Veolia
Innovation Engineer - Saudi Water Authority
Eng. Anas Jameel Abdulsalam, an Innovation Engineer at the Saudi Water Authority, working on advancing technologies that enhance water sustainability and efficiency. With a background in mechanical engineering, he focuses on developing innovative solutions for the water sector. Previously, he worked at Fermilab, USA, where he developed control panels for mechanical machines as part of a year-long project. Now, at the Saudi Water Authority, he is committed to fostering innovation and driving transformative solutions in water management.
Director - Nanotechnology Research Center Associate Professor College of Engineering - Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)
Dr. Mohammed Zahir Al-Abri is an Associate Professor in Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. In addition to his academic position, he is the Founder and Director of Nanotechnology Research Center, SQU. He completed all his tertiary education from University of Nottingham (UK) from 2003-2007. His major interest lies in cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, water treatment, hydrogen production, membrane technology and environmental engineering including applications of nanotechnology in water and petroleum industries. Dr. Al-Abri has more than 30 major research projects in different areas of water treatment and desalination, nanotechnology for environmental and renewable energy applications, and membrane technology. He has more than 85 international journal papers, 30 international conferences, 25 technical reports, 4 patent applications and 3 book chapters. Dr. Al-Abri is a member of a number of international editorial boards including being a Topic Editor in “Membranes: MDPI Journal. He organized and co-organized several international conferences in nanotechnology and water treatment.
Head of Research, Development and Innovation - Nama Water Services
Interested in scientific research, she has won many awards in the field of innovation.
She believes in the importance of the role of research in finding innovative and sustainable solutions in the industrial field.
Dr. Buthaina is a specialized engineer. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemical and process engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 2010. She joined after graduation. Directly in the field of work as the first treatment process engineer in Nama Group as a result of her keenness to expand and go deeper in her field, she completed her scientific career to obtain a master’s degree and a doctorate in environmental engineering, specializing in water treatment processes.
Thanks to the extensive knowledge she possesses in this specialty, she was able to progress smoothly through the career ladder and held several positions, including: Head of the Process Engineering Department, and she currently holds the position of Head of the Research, Development, Innovation and Sustainability Center.
Dr. Buthaina works alongside the research, development, innovation and sustainability team at Nama Water Services to develop the technical and technical aspects to achieve the sector’s sustainability by searching for effective alternative solutions in terms of technology and treatment cost, improving and developing the performance of existing operational assets to increase efficiency, in addition to testing And evaluate technologies by testing their products and suppliers’ services. In her capacity as head of the Center for Research, Development, Innovation and Sustainability.
Dr. Buthaina follows up the performance of carbon reduction and sustainability projects, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and employing the green circular economy, such as utilizing treated water in hydrogen production, converting sludge into energy, and extracting carbon dioxide, and represents the company in international conferences and activities to highlight the company’s role.
Project Engineer - Marafiq
Hawraa Al Zadjali is a highly accomplished professional in the field of chemical and process engineering, with five years of dedicated experience. She graduated with a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in 2018, demonstrating a strong academic foundation in her discipline.
In 2019, Ms. Al Zadjali commenced her career at Marafiq as a Process Engineer, where she contributed significantly to the operations of the DPC plant. In 2020, she transitioned to the water team, further showcasing her versatility and commitment to operational excellence.
Her exemplary performance and unwavering dedication were recognized in 2023 with her promotion to Project Engineer. In this capacity, Ms. Al Zadjali continues to play a pivotal role in driving engineering innovation and delivering impactful projects.
Chief Operating Officer - Veolia
Nicolas Le Goff is a seasoned executive with over 28 years of experience in the water and
environmental services industry. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at
VEOLIA in Oman, he oversees operations across the country. His responsibilities span water
desalination, wastewater treatment, waste management and hazardous waste. Throughout
his career at VEOLIA, Nicolas has worked in various roles across more than 20 countries
including Oman, Gabon, and France.
His expertise includes operation management, water quality improvement, emergency
response and digital transformation. Notable achievements include implementing regional
performance plans, managing large-scale water and wastewater contracts, and developing
national water improvement strategies.
Nicolas holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science from AgroParisTech and a
Bachelor's degree in Urban and Rural Water Management from ENGEES. His commitment tohumanitarian causes is evidenced by his role as a volunteer Emergency Response Unit
WASH member with the French Red Cross and the VEOLIA Foundation. Based in Muscat,
Oman, Nicolas is 49 years old.
Businiess Unit Head - Oman AcwaPower
Saif Ali Al-Ghafri is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the power and water sector, specializing in Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) and desalination plant operations. As the Operations Head at ACWA Power, Saif has been instrumental in driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability within the organization.
He is highly motivated and ambitious, possessing excellent management skills and a proven track record of working effectively in global and multicultural environments. Saif has led numerous initiatives to enhance plant reliability, optimize performance, and address technical challenges across multiple sites in Oman and beyond.
His expertise extends to advanced desalination technologies, particularly Reverse Osmosis (RO), where he has championed the adoption of next-generation membrane technologies and digital solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
Saif holds a strategic vision for the future of desalination and power industries, fostering collaborations between research entities and industry leaders. His contributions are widely recognized in the industry, and he actively participates in international forums to share knowledge and drive progress in sustainable water and energy solutions.
Director of Water and Energy Systems - Gulf Core Company
I am highly motivated and have a solid academic and industry background (more than 25 years) in membrane/thermal
desalination technology development. I would make a valuable addition to the innovative R&D landscape. I have
contributed and participated in active R&D-based academic and industry firms to minimize the environmental
impact of desalination plants' brine blowdown via innovative technology and sustainability solutions. I have several
patent ideas for membrane and thermal brine concentration technology for salt production. This direction's strategic
benefit is encouraging technology localization and opening a new market out of brine mining/crystallization. Brine
mining would provide the local market with precious minerals. It would give the Gas and Oil field industry wet salts
required for intermediate transformation technology, such as polymers and Chlor-Alkali, to maintain Mud
composition and characterization.
Professor in Chemical Engineering - Lund University
Associate Professor - United Arab Emirates University
Dr. Ashraf Aly Hassan, currently holding the position of associate professor at UAE University. Formerly, he served as a faculty member at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and played pivotal roles in the industry, serving as a senior process engineer and R&D team leader at BioAir Solutions.
Dr. Aly Hassan completed his Ph.D. at the University of Cincinnati, followed by a three-year tenure as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Risk Management Research Laboratory of the US EPA. His educational background includes a master's degree from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Cairo University.
Dr. Aly Hassan's scholarly impact is evident through the publication of 100 Scopus-indexed peer-reviewed articles, yielding an H-Index of 23 and accumulating over 2000 citations. Throughout his academic career, he successfully secured over 2 million USD in research grants in both the USA and UAE. Dr. Aly Hassan leads a dynamic research group with a focus on various areas, including biodesalination, biohydrogen production, biological treatment of diverse pollutants, and the fate and transport of nanoparticles.
Projects Manager - Authority of Public Services Regulations
Dr. Salim Al Mamary is a Ph.D. holder in Project Management, University of South Australia, 2011. He has over 27 years of experience in project management, water resources management, water and networks projects, water utilities projects, water desalination, water recycling, irrigation projects, pumping stations, and flood protection dams in government and private sectors. Dr. Al Mamary has been involved in the planning, design, development, and management of several water-related projects in Oman. He has participated in water policy-making and water strategy planning. In the publication, He has over 20 papers presented at national and international conferences on the topics of water management, risks, and project management. Dr. Al Mamary is the Founder and Board member of Oman water society. He has a broad range of knowledge and involvement in international cooperation for research, seminars, conferences, and training on Project Management and Water Management.
Water Engineer - Authority for Public Services Regulation
Khaula Al-Balushi is a Water Engineer in the Projects Department of the Directorate of Water and Sanitation. She graduated from Sultan Qaboos University with a degree in Civil Engineering and currently specializes in desalination plants, with three years of practical experience in project management.
Her responsibilities include handling permits for new desalination plant projects, monitoring their progress, conducting field visits, and regularly overseeing operations at existing plants. She also ensures that the produced water meets the contracted specifications in collaboration with the Oman Water and Wastewater Services Company.
Additionally, Khaula is involved in initiatives and projects aimed at improving the water sector and providing high-efficiency, reliable services, aligning with the government’s ongoing efforts to develop the sector. This aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to enhance service levels and promote sustainability.
Water Network Planning Manager - Nama Water Services
CFO of GS Inima Middle East - GS Inima
Francisco Suárez has a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Oviedo in Spain.
His experience includes more than 15 years in the field of international construction and infrastructure. He worked as CFO in Eastern Europe (Poland and Hungary) in the civil construction and infrastructure sector and continued his stage as Country Manager in Poland developing business with the opening of a new venture for the award and execution of different construction contracts.
The experience gained in International markets allowed him to assume new challenges in the African continent as Regional CFO of seven countries with different infrastructure projects, with special relevance the execution of the new embassies/residences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in six enclaves of the continent.
In 2018 he moved to the Middle East to develop further different infrastructure projects in the water/energy sector, joining GS Inima in 2021 as Country CFO in Oman and subsequently as Regional CFO. He supports different divisions of the company such as Construction, Operation & Maintenance and Concessions in the countries where
the company operates, leading the financial and administration departments as well as the management of its projects and assets.
Senior Water Advisor - Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
leader of the Brine Mining Research Group - Saudi Water Authority
Assistant Professor - University of Technology and Applied Sciences
Director of Digital Operations - SUEZ
Ben is a software engineer by background and a proponent of digital innovation within Suez from the Dubai office. For Suez, he supports water unities in the Middle East in the exploration and implementation of the latest available digital innovations. A resident of Dubai since 2024, he is passionate about efficient capital investment, and security of water supply for all.
Investment Manager - Nama Water Services
Regional Head - Business Unit, Utilities - GF Corys Piping Systems
Mark Jarrett was born in Bedford, England in 1961. He has more than 40 years of experience in the gas and water industry working for with GF Piping Systems.
Initially employed in the Georg Fischer foundry in Bedford, UK he has held various positions related to manufacturing, product management and marketing of malleable iron fittings for gas and water distribution.
In 1996 he joined the headquarters of GF in Switzerland as a Regional Export Manger with responsibility for various gas and water distribution markets in South America, Europe, Middle East and the Indian sub-continent.
Since 2002 Mark has been based in Dubai, UAE from where he travels the region and lectures on specialized features of product design, testing and application. An important aspect of this function is to advise on product choice, system layout and introduction of new techniques for his company's extensive range of distribution products.
Mark is Regional Head of the Business Unit, he is also responsible for the certified theoretical and practical training of customer’s personnel at operational and supervisory levels for polyethylene products in the Gulf Region.
Head of Business & Product Support - Wilo MENA
The Wilo Group is one of the leading premium manufacturers of water pumps and pump systems for the building services, water management, and industrial sectors.
Known as the innovator, Wilo has a record in creating “Firsts”; from the world’s first circulator to the world’s first smart circulating pump and the first sewage pump with an integrated smart system!
Based on the Ambition 2030, Wilo has developed a holistic smart sustainability strategy, facing up-to-global water challenges with Intelligent Solutions for Building Services and Water Management
Ms. Sarwat Nassar, Head of Business and Product Support at Wilo MENA
Sarwat holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical Engineer from Lebanese University, Beirut. She gained credible experience in consultancy and MEP systems over the last 14 years. Over the last 9 years with Wilo, she successfully navigated challenges in the pump business in different market segments and had s been sharing her expertise in Water Management field.
Water Industry Development Manager - Siemens
As a seasoned professional with a track record of driving digitalization and sustainability solutions in the dynamic Energy and Water Utilities sector, I thrive on building lasting relationships and delivering results. With a career spanning over a decade, I've consistently excelled in techno commercial roles with industry giants like Oracle, Schneider Electric, and Areva T&D.
In my current role as regional Water Industry Development manager in Siemens Digital Industries, I lead the Middle East and APAC region in Digital Water solutions, strategizing, and executing successful digitalization projects targeting operational efficiency with our customers.
My expertise extends to advanced distribution management, IoT, SCADA/RTU, AI & ML analytics, cybersecurity, and more. Fluent in English and Turkish, I possess a unique blend of technical knowledge and business acumen.
Global Water Industry Director - Bentley Systems Inc
Slavco Velickov joined Bentley in 2006 as an industry sales director for utilities and water. Currently he works as an advancement director for the water industry and heads up a team of enterprise sales professionals that deliver Bentley’s water digital twin solution globally. Slavco further develops new markers and business opportunities with strategic partners and alliances. He is a chartered engineer and has over 25 years of experience in the water industry in all phases of infrastructure projects development, financing, and implementation. Slavco holds a bachelor’s degree in civil hydraulic engineering with post graduate specializations in hydro-informatics and business development. His Ph.D. is from the Technical University in Delft, The Netherlands.
General Manager Customer Experience and Metering - Nama Water Services
International Sales Manager / Geospatial Technologies Expert - Barthauer Software GmbH
Dr.-Eng. Belhaj Ali, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience, is a leader in geospatial database
design, GIS web application development, and advanced technical studies in GIS. His specialization spans spatial
analysis, geospatial data integration, and the development of custom technical specifications tailored to client
needs. Proficient in industry-leading tools like ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Desktop 10, QGIS, and GvSIG, Dr. Belhaj Ali also
brings deep expertise in image processing with software such as PCI Geomatica, Erdas Imagine, and Envi. His track
record includes successfully managing complex GIS projects and designing innovative geospatial databases.
In the realm of project management, Dr. Belhaj Ali excels in strategic planning, team coordination, and the
management of budgets, contracts, and partnerships. A multilingual communicator fluent in English, French, and
Arabic, he has guided technical teams and mentored interns with remarkable effectiveness. Beyond industry
contributions, Dr. Belhaj Ali has an extensive academic footprint, actively participating in international conferences
and symposiums while leveraging over 20 years of teaching and mentoring graduate students across Tunisia, France,
and Saudi Arabia.
Civil Chief Engineer - Nama Water Services
Head of the Operational Efficiency division, Strategic and Operational Assistance - Seureca - Veolia
International expert with 25+ years of international experience within the WASH sector (water & sanitation),
out of which 20+ years with VEOLIA. Nuno COSTA MARQUES has held engineering, operational, management
and consultancy roles across his extensive career. Main highlights include 15+ years with various O&M
positions within water and sanitation utilities in Portugal and Angola, and 10+ years as permanent staff in
SEURECA, acting as WASH Utility Expert and Project Manager / Project Director.
As part of SEURECA, in the Strategy & Operational Assistance (SOA) Department, Nuno COSTA MARQUES has
been supporting water and sanitation utilities in improving their operational performance, under various
contractual frameworks (Management Contracts, Technical Assistance Contracts, Performance Based
Contracts), in MENA/GCC, Central Asia and Africa regions (ex: Zambia, Seychelles, Congo DRC, Angola, Cape
Verde, Tanzania, Morocco).
Since 2022, he is in charge of SEURECA’s SOA Operational Efficiency Team where he oversees the company’s
entire portfolio of NRW control and reduction projects, conducted on behalf of VEOLIA business units and
municipal/national water utilities.
His areas of expertise include:
● Utility Transformation and Turnaround Approach: audit / due diligence, strategy / action plans /
quick-wins, OPEX/CAPEX budgeting, organisational and processes/procedures review, maturity
assessment of functional departments, digitalisation, training, service levels / KPIs, benchmarking
and performance monitoring, etc.;
● OPEX control and optimisation/reduction programmes: NRW, energy, chemicals, staffing,
procurement and supply chain management, etc.;
● Focus on NRW: zoning (DMZs/DMAs), pressure management, leak detection and repair, SCADA,
GIS, network performance optimisation studies, transformation of commercial operations, water
network infrastructure asset management, meter asset management, etc.;
● Project Management and Bid Management
Senior Advisor project manager - Witteveen+Bos
Michel Bretveld obtained his MSc degree in 2002 as a Water Supply Engineer at the Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands. During his professional career of approximately 23 years within Witteveen+Bos he gained extensive knowledge in hydraulic modelling, design of water supply networks and NRW reduction. Since 2018 he has been the project manager of the Framework contract with the Oman Water and Wastewater Services Company in Oman and involved in numerous water supply projects ranging from master planning and feasibility projects to preparation of concept designs, detailed designs and tender documents.
Director of Strategic Growth Partnerships - WRc
Technical Losses Engineer - Nama water Services
VP Analyst Based in United Kingdom - Gartner
General Manager - Water Desalination Technologies Institute (KACST)
Dr. Aldrees holds a D.Phil. in Inorganic Chemistry and a Master of Science in the same field from the University of Oxford, UK. He also earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Currently, he serves as the General Manager of the Water Desalination Technologies Institute at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), where he leads efforts to develop sustainable water desalination technologies, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s water security.
With over 23 years of experience in refining, petrochemicals, environmental sustainability, water, and energy, Dr. Aldrees has made significant contributions to scientific research. He has authored more than 22 research articles, holds four patents, and published one book, with a strong focus on advancing sustainable development through scientific innovation.
Process Developer and Sales Manager MENA - Jäger Umwelt-Technik GmbH
Mr. Pajooh holds a Ph.D. in Sanitary Engineering from Leibniz University Hannover, alongside degrees in Civil Engineering, an MBA, and expertise in Water and Environmental Management. With over a decade of experience in the water sector, he specializes in decentralized wastewater treatment systems, aeration technology, and biological wastewater treatment. Currently serving as the Process Development Manager at Jaeger Envirotech, Mr. Pajooh and his team have developed ShearCon® Process, which enables the transformation of conventional biomass into premium biomass without the use of chemicals. This premium biomass settles significantly faster, exhibits higher nitrification rates and enhances performance of wastewater treatment plants.
Regional Manager Water Engineering and Business - Brentwood Europe GmbH
Lead Process Engineer - Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Assistant Professor - Wageningen University & Research
Dr. Shahab Shariat Torbaghan is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Smart Grids in Urban Energy and Water Systems at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), where he leads the Smart Water and Energy Transition & AI Lab. He is a senior member of IEEE and an active member of INFORMS.
Shahab holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Delft University of Technology, following degrees from Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Tehran. His expertise lies in modeling and optimizing water and energy infrastructure, with a focus on short-term operations and long-term investment decision-making under uncertainty. His research integrates renewable energy and explores synergies between water and energy systems, emphasizing technologies that connect the two sectors. He has contributed to multiple national and international projects on both applied and fundamental research initiatives."
Managing Director - Bio-Ran Uk
Tendering Team Leader - PWT Wasser- Und Abwassertechnik GmbH
Işıl Cinoğlu Gökyay is a highly experienced Environmental Process Engineer with 19 years of expertise in the water and wastewater industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Marmara University and has a strong background in process optimization, stakeholder management, and environmental solutions. She specializes in process design, proposal management, and execution of large-scale municipal and industrial treatment projects across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. As the Chief Process & Proposal Engineer at PWT Wasser-und Abwassertechnik GmbH, Işıl has led multidisciplinary teams, developed technical solutions, and managed tender preparation and cost estimation for complex infrastructure projects.
Research and Development Senior Manager Oman Environmental Services Holding Company's (be'ah)
Global Head - Sales, Process Engineering and Commissioning - Gradiant International Holdings Pte Ltd
Asset Performance Manager - Nama Water Services
Said Majid Al-Busaidi is an Asset Performance Manager with 17+ years in the utilities industry, specializing in ISO 55000, asset integrity, lifecycle management, and risk assessment. At Nama Water, he leads asset performance, maintenance optimization, and pipeline rehabilitation. Certified in ISO 55000 (IAM UK) and ISO 50001, he has a strong background in power and desalination plants, reliability engineering, and energy management.
Area Sales Manager - Bioworks Verfahrenstechnik GmbH
Country Manager - KSA / Development Manager Middle-East - Seureca - Veolia
Dr. Mohammad Mourad is a distinguished environmental and water engineering expert with over 20
years of experience, including 15 years in project management and 9 years leading engineering
and consultancy business units. As Country Manager for KSA, Kuwait, and Bahrain at Seureca, he
oversees diverse projects in water, wastewater, and waste management for clients such as NWC,
MEWA, and ARAMCO.
Dr. Mourad's expertise spans waste management, environmental assessments, and infrastructure
engineering. He has led impactful initiatives, including the development of Saudi Arabia's National
Environmental Strategy, a diagnostic study of 94 sewage treatment plants, and the formulation of
hazardous waste facility RFPs. In addition, he has conducted environmental assessments for
industrial wastewater and lagoon remediation projects.
An innovator in Research & Development, Dr. Mourad has pioneered patented solutions for
wastewater networks and developed predictive tools for bathing water quality, funded by the EU
and French governments. He has authored over 30 scientific publications in renowned journals and
conferences.
Dr. Mourad holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the National Institute for Applied Sciences, LyonFrance, and is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
Research And Development Technician - GS Inima Environment
Oriol Carbó holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), MSc in Biological and Environmental Engineering also from UAB and a PhD in Water Science and Technology from the University of Girona. He completed his doctoral studies in an industrial setting at the company GS Inima Environment, where he currently works in the R&D department developing new wastewater treatment technologies. He is currently working on the demonstration at full-scale of the combined HRAS, AGS and anammox processes in the mainstream of urban WWTPs.
Wastewater Projects Manager - Nama Dhofar Services
Using treated water for aquifer recharge of groundwater presents a wide spectrum of technical and health challenges. A major consideration is the possible presence of chemical and microbiological agents in the source water that could be hazardous to human health and to the environment. Concerns about hazardous agents in the water apply particularly to potable reuse. Although non-potable uses such as irrigation can result in human exposure to hazardous agents, there is less potential for exposure and the risks are therefore significantly lower.
In the present study, the sampling and observation results clearly indicate that the injection of the treated water in the aquifer system improves the groundwater quality and it may not have any discernible risk and harmful impacts for the aquifer system as well to the human health. A summarized review of the study is given in the case study.
The concept of treated water injection is becoming widely accepted and adopted by many countries especially those experiencing water shortages and saline water intrusion problems (Metcalf & Eddy, 2003, Toze, 2006; Fytili and Zabaniotou, 2007). Injection of treated water effluents can significantly reduce or completely remove the impact of these effluents on receiving environments. Additionally, the injection of treated waters may reduce the amount of water that needs to be extracted from environmental water sources. However, due to health and safety concerns, a careful study is required on the same.
Over ten years of treated water injection by SSDC (Currently NDS) into the quaternary rocks and the Adawnib formation aquifer has demonstrated that it has positively impacted the aquifer as evidenced by the increase in prevailing groundwater level. The historic groundwater level contours along with the current groundwater level contours results clearly indicates gradual increases in the groundwater level in the aquifer system, especially at the down gradient side of approximately 1.0 to 2.0 km distant from the Arabian Sea shore along injection strip (where the saline water intrusion possibilities are more).
Also, EC (Salinity) of the groundwater wells is shown to decrease in the injection area. From the TDS contour map , it is clearly evident that in and around the injection strip, groundwater TDS value is ≤ 2000 mg/L, whereas the outside of the injection strip the groundwater TDS value is > 2000 mg/L. Hence the results signify that due to injection of treated water, the salinity level gradually decreased in the aquifer system and therefore the actual objective of the injection of treated sewage effluent water in the aquifer was to stave off increasing groundwater salinities along the coastline resulting from seawater intrusion which was recommended in Dames & Moore 1993 report and the Groundwater Pollution Protection Master Plan (GWPPMP) prepared by Mott MacDonald (1999) is achieved by SSDC (Currently NDS).
Director - Nanotechnology Research Center Associate Professor College of Engineering - Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)
Dr. Mohammed Zahir Al-Abri is an Associate Professor in Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. In addition to his academic position, he is the Founder and Director of Nanotechnology Research Center, SQU. He completed all his tertiary education from University of Nottingham (UK) from 2003-2007. His major interest lies in cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, water treatment, hydrogen production, membrane technology and environmental engineering including applications of nanotechnology in water and petroleum industries. Dr. Al-Abri has more than 30 major research projects in different areas of water treatment and desalination, nanotechnology for environmental and renewable energy applications, and membrane technology. He has more than 85 international journal papers, 30 international conferences, 25 technical reports, 4 patent applications and 3 book chapters. Dr. Al-Abri is a member of a number of international editorial boards including being a Topic Editor in “Membranes: MDPI Journal. He organized and co-organized several international conferences in nanotechnology and water treatment.
President - Produced Water Society Middle East
VP Assets Management & Projects - Majis Industrial Services
Ayoub Sulaiman Al Kindi is the VP of Assets Management & Projects at Majis Industries Services. With an MBA from Suhar University and a Petroleum & Natural Gas degree from Sultan Qaboos University, he boasts +18 years of experience in the energy sector, holding various influential roles. Committed to excellence and sustainability, Ayoub continues to shape the industry's future with a strategic and forward-thinking approach.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ayoub is deeply committed to fostering collaborative relationships and creating value for stakeholders. His strategic mindset and ability to identify and seize opportunities have consistently driven transformative outcomes for organizations he's been a part of.
Acting Managing Director - Marafiq
Director General Water & Waste Water Regulation - Authority for Public Services Regulation
Energy and Water Policy Advisor - PDO
Process Engineer - Majis Industrial Services
Head of Water Management, Petroleum Development Oman
Saada is currently working as Head of Water Management & Subject Matter Expert in Petroleum Development Oman PDO. She is also a Board member in Oman Water Society and Board member in Produced Water Society.
Her recent activities include:
Saada has a total of 21 years of diverse experience in Oil & Gas sector downstream & Upstream. Prior joining PDO ,Saada has worked with Oman Refinery Company, Granherne, Tebodin Engineering Co, and Shell Marketing Oman.
CTO & Co-Founder - Western Plasma Technologies
Hossein brings over 15 years of experience in new product development, R&D operations, industrial manufacturing, and project management. With multiple completed projects, he has led significant advancements in plasma technologies, driving innovations in desulfurization, water and wastewater treatment, air purification, and applications for the food industry. Hossein’s technical leadership ensures the company remains at the forefront of developing cutting-edge plasma systems for diverse and sustainable applications. Hossein holds an MSc in physics from the University of Tabriz and resides in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran.
VP of Business Development - Trevi Systems Inc.
Performance Manager-Access to Water & Sanitation HUBGRADE Squad - Veolia
With a rich background in water engineering and management, Laurent brings over two decades of expertise
to the industry.
He has a proven track record in master planning, including significant projects such as the Drinking Water
Master Plan for the main capitals and the Water and Sanitation Master Plan for the province of Irbid in Jordan.
His expertise also extends to software development, in particular in modelling of pressurised networks.
Throughout his career, he has excelled in coordinating expert missions, building client relationships, and
implementing numerical systems for water utilities.
His present mission in Veolia is to promote digital as a booster of water utilities management excellence for all
geographies of Veolia
Educational Degrees:
- Digital Transformation Facilitator, Digital for Business ESCP Business School • 2020 - 2020
- dea, mechanics of geophysical and environmental media Joseph Fourier University (Grenoble I)
• 1990 - 1992
- Hydraulic Engineer INPG (ENSHMG) • 1988 - 1992
Regional Manager – Middle East Region - Litus Inc
John began his career in the UK manufacturing sector then progressed to the O&G industry, relocating to the Middle East in 2004 with, where he spent time working in the US and across the GCC. Initially performing testing for cementing and stimulation services as engineer, progressing to technical manager and operations manager primarily in upstream services. John has held multiple senior advisor and management roles with a diverse background of both operations and technical positions with major service companies. John joined the team at Litus in 2024 and has been an influential part in our growth in the MER.
Senior Water Management Engineer - Petroleum Development Oman
Mundhir Al-Battashi is a Senior Process Engineer with over 15 years of expertise in the oil and gas industry. He holds a Master’s degree in Process Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University and has been a key contributor to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) since 2010.
Throughout his tenure at PDO, Mundhir has taken on diverse and strategic roles, including Concept Engineer, Process Optimization Engineer, and Senior Water Management Engineer. He handled major projects such as:
Senior Water Management Engineer - PDO
Strategy and Business Development Manager - Enerflex
Senior Water Management Engineer - PDO
Is'haq Al Kindi holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and a master's degree in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Riverside. He joined PDO in 2016 as a Process Concept Engineer with the Water Management Team, demonstrating his interest in the field by leading a strategic water sourcing and sustainability project. Subsequently, in 2019, he moved to to another role in PDO's Front End Engineering Design (FEED Office), where he spent five years supporting the process design of various oil and gas projects. Towards the end of 2023, he took on a senior role in PDO's Water Management Department, where he has been supporting water treatment developments, deployment of new technologies, providing operations support, and optimizing the performance of produced water facilities. With over eight years of accomplished experience in the industry, Is'haq has consistently contributed to the advancement of water management in PDO. In 2024, he also obtained his MBA, enhancing his commercial background and broadening his expertise in the industry.
Managing Director - H2O Biofouling Solutions B.V.
Harry Polman is owner and Managing Director of the company H2O Biofouling Solutions B.V. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of biofouling control in intake (cooling) seawater systems, Mr. Polman is recognized as an international expert in the field of Biofouling control and defining biofouling control strategies for both existing and new to build utilities. He has authored or co-authored several international papers, book chapters and consulted in more than 250 Biofouling related projects worldwide (e.g. Oman). Mr. Polman developed the biofouling control technologies Pulse-Chlorination® and EcodosingTM and has an expertise in testing new products and technologies for seawater treatment.
Associate Professor - Manipal Academy of Higher Education
PhD candidate - Sultan Qaboos University
PhD Researcher - University of Debrecen
Student - National university of science and technology
Assistant Professor A’Sharqiyah University - Member Of Oman Water Society
Head of Applied Chemistry Section - University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Muscat
VP – Water & Wastewater, Marafiq – CUC
Said, with over 25 years of diverse experience in oil & gas, energy, and utilities sectors, is a strategic mind who consistently exceeds expectations. He has played crucial roles in commercial, operations & maintenance, project development, contracts management, supply chain, In-Country Value (ICV), strategic sourcing, and customer services across esteemed organizations like PDO, OLNG, Shell Global Solutions International, OPWP, OQ group, and currently at Marafiq. Said is a certified ACC coach, self-motivated, results-oriented, strategic mind-set and passionate about empowering and inspiring others to achieve their full potential and success.
Energy Efficiency Engineer - OQ Alternative Energy
Sulaiman Al Rawahi is an Energy Efficiency Engineer with OQ Alternative Energy, part of the Energy Excellence group. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University. Sulaiman has worked on various projects within the oil and gas sector. He started the work at Occidental Oman, working on Several projects using various simulation software tools, which led to enhance oil production . He later transitioned to OQ Alternative Energy, where he has led several projects in the upstream sector. In this role, he has utilized simulation tools and new technologies to implement sustainable solutions, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the company's net-zero goals
Production Chemist - PDO
A results-driven professional with a solid understanding of chemical engineering principles and practices. Abdullah holds a Master of Business Administration from Sultan Qaboos University Oman and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology USA. Abdullah has extensive experience working as Production Chemist in various filed of Oman, including Marmul in south of Oman and Lekhwair in north of Oman. With a strong background in production chemistry, and project management, he manages chemical processes to ensure product quality and develops new production methods to optimize output.
Concept Process Engineer - PDO
Samiya is currently working as Concept Process Engineer in Petroleum Development Oman PDO.
Her recent activities include:
Samiya has a total of 10 years of diverse experience in Oil & Gas sector. She Worked as Process Engineer in Detailed Design Engineering and Concept Engineering.
Senior Process Engineer - Majis Industrial Services
Mohammed Al Balushi is a Senior Process Engineer specializing in water treatment and distribution with over 18 years of experience. He has expertise in plant operations, GIS mapping, asset management, and process optimization. His key skills include water treatment and process engineering, network operations and maintenance, industrial project management, asset management, and customer and stakeholder coordination. Mohammed holds an MBA and a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Professor, Department of Natural Resource Economics College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences - Sultan Qaboos University
Production Chemist - Petroleum Development Oman
Moza Al-Ruqaishi, a Production Chemist at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) with over four years of experience in the oil and gas industry. My expertise primarily focuses on heavy crude production in the South of Oman. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Sultan Qaboos University.
Global Water Infrastructure Lead - Flow-3D
Dr. Dan Gessler (PE) is the Global Water Infrastructure Lead at Flow Science, where he helps FLOW-3D HYDRO users apply CFD modeling to water infrastructure projects. He earned his PhD in Civil Engineering Hydraulics from Colorado State University in 1995 and continued as a research scientist until 2002, focusing on the development and application of 3D sediment transport models.
He then spent 23 years at Alden Research Laboratory as the technical lead for CFD and physical modeling projects. During his time at Alden, he worked on a wide range of water infrastructure projects, including spillways, outlet works, river and reservoir hydraulics, hydropower facilities, and fish passage systems. His expertise spans numerical modeling with FLOW-3D, physical hydraulic modeling, and applied hydraulics for complex engineering challenges.
Dr. Gessler has extensive experience in CFD model development, validation, and application to hydraulic structures. He has authored numerous technical papers and presentations on CFD modeling best practices and hydraulic design. In 2024, he joined the FLOW-3D HYDRO team to bring his expertise to users worldwide.
Head of Technology - Gradiant International Holdings
Projects Engineer - Hema Energy Group
Sewerage Network Engineer - Authority for Public Services Regulation
Record Management Senior Officer - Nama Water Services
Electrical Engineer - Ministry of Health
Manager Application Engineering EMEA - MANN+HUMMEL Water & FLuid Solutions
Business Continuity Head - Nama Water Services
Wetland Specialist, quartermaker new markets - Truxor Wetland Equipment, Dorotea, Sweden
Project Manager- ISTPs & ISWRs Project Delivery - Saudi Water Partnership Company SWPC
Projects and Engineering Manager - Arabian Japanese Membrane Company
Branch Manager - Waterbird water treatment chemicals LLC
Head of Chemistry - Nama Water Services
Founder CEO - Integrated Development Solutions Llc
The Smart Chap - NATIONAL ENERGY LLC
Design Manager - AAW Consulting Engineers
HR Director - Sohar Operation Services L.LC
GIS analyst - PMO senior analyst (JR) - Nama Water Services
Sr. Analysis Waste evaluator - Be'ah company
Operation Analysis Specialist - Sohar Operation Services
Sales Manager Middle East - NX Filtration
Operational Excellence Manager - Renaissance Services SAOG
Project Chief Engineer - Nama Water Services
Assistant Professor A’Sharqiyah University - Member Of Oman Water Society
Head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department - College of Engineering, Dhofar University
MG Environment Senior Engineer - Nama Water Services
Director - Oman Hydrogen Centre, Oman
Business and ICV Development Manager - Hydrom
Global Account Manager, Electrolysis_Hydrogen - Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, Germany
Director of the EU MED-GEM Network, UAE
(PhD. in Environmental Management) Manager of Environment Department - ATLAS INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
Founder and Managing Director - MHAL THIQA – Bridging Energies
