Schedule

Networking

Delegate registration and networking
Registration and snacks/networking outside the main hall at the Habtoor Grand Resort, JBR, Dubai.

Introduction

MC event introduction and welcome
Welcome to the 2025 Energy, Water and Sustainability Summit, event mechanics and what’s lined up for the day.

Jason Saundalkar

Welcome Speech
Big Project Middle East’s Head of Content Jason Saundalkar welcomes speakers and delegates to the summit and discusses the event’s key themes and focuses. He will also outline the Big Project brands’ plans for the rest of the year.

Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East

Mudassar Asghar

Keynote address
Powering the Grid of the Future: Software-Defined Automation for Grid Resiliency
As the energy landscape shifts, utilities must modernise grid operations to ensure resilience and flexibility. This session explores how software-defined automation – enhanced by AI/ML- enables real-time control, faster response to disturbances, and seamless integration of distributed energy resources. Learn how this approach is shaping the grid of the future through intelligent, adaptive, and cost-effective solutions.

Mudassar Asghar, Technical & Commercial Director – Middle East, N. Africa & Turkey – Grid Automation, Grid Solutions, GE Vernova

Panel Discussion One

Sustainable Alternatives

Concrete, steel, glazing, insulation, finishing materials and others construction materials represent thousands if not millions of tons of embodied carbon. To achieve a Net Zero future, these carbon-heavy materials must be replaced by alternatives that offer similar or better properties and performance but are more sustainable in terms of how the base materials are sourced, how the product is manufactured, and how it is disposed of at the end of its useful life. This panel discussion will present insights on:

• The construction materials that have the most embodied carbon and potential alternatives that are feasible, taking into account the region’s distinct weather conditions
• How much embodied carbon can be reduced by using sustainable alternatives such as green concrete, green steel etc? Is the difference significant enough to warrant change?
• The influence constrained project budgets have on material choice and selection
• Building a supply chain that is governed by sustainable principles in support of a decarbonisation and a Net Zero future
• What impact can clean energy and water reuse have on reducing the environmental impact of base material extraction and construction material production?

Moderator

Christopher Nicolas, Director, TBH

Confirmed Panelists

Dr. Yianni Spanos, Vice President – Sustainability, Expo City Dubai

Engi Jaber, Associate Partner – Sustainability and Head of Climatize, part of +impact

Farouk Jivani, Founder & CEO, Zeroe

Gayathri Udhay, Principal Sustainability & Net Zero Engineer UAE, JLL

Iman Abi Saab, Technical Director, Structures, Mott MacDonald

Mohamed Amer, Managing Director, MENA, International Code Council

Presentation

UK Perspective: What’s the public’s role in a Net Zero future?

Mumin Islam, Head of Innovation at South Staffordshire Water will discuss the UK’s targets and challenges with regards to the public’s role in a Net Zero future, particularly focusing on the role of water efficiency. Sharing innovations in the water space, and presenting research and key takeaways on achieving water efficiency in faith and diverse communities delivered in collaboration with a range of partners including the University of Cambridge, faith groups and behaviour change specialists.

Mumin Islam, Head of Innovation, South Staffordshire Water

Panel Discussion Two

From Waste to Valuable Resource

The time to re-think waste is now – through innovation, the use of new processes and cutting-edge technology, different types of waste can be diverted away from landfills and other repositories and turned into an actual beneficial resource. It’s also imperative that wasteful practices and processes are curtailed in favour of more efficient methods to reduce overall waste output from the region’s largest projects. This panel discussion will showcase:

• How much solid waste is being produced by the region’s biggest giga projects, and what are the most wasteful practices that need to be addressed to reduce this output?
• What construction and demolition (C&D) waste can be recycled effectively and turned into a useful resource?
• What are the cost implications to recycling a greater volume of C&D waste?
• There has been significant innovation in recycling technology in recent years: nanotechnology; pyrolysis; chemical recycling etc. Is the built environment taking advantage of these advances to reduce C&D waste to landfill?
• What impact can 3D printing technology and modular construction have in terms of reducing waste? Are these technologies now ready for mainstream use in giga-projects? What are the limitations?
• Minimising water pollution through policy and environmentally sound practices on construction sites

Moderator

Rola Nasreddine, Executive Director, Springs Global Consultancy

Confirmed Panelists

Eoin Sheridan, Director of Environment and Waste, KEO International Consultants

Faik Al-Haddadin, Vice President – Projects, DAMAC Properties

Mohammed Hamza Abdul Aziz, Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling Plants Manager, Dulsco Environment

Rima Boudaba, Sustainability Manager, Climatize, part of +impact

Zulema Sanchis, Director, Accuracy

Presentation

Every Drop Counts: Sustainability through Water Stewardship

Water stewardship offers a proactive and holistic framework to safeguard our precious water resources, ensure long-term availability, and build resilience across communities, ecosystems, and economies. By integrating water assurance – the process of verifying that water is managed responsibly and sustainably – we can reduce risks, build trust, and support inclusive, long-term growth in a rapidly changing world.

Alicia Dauth, Water Assurance Technical Lead, Water Security Collective

Networking

LUNCH BREAK
Buffet lunch and networking.

Panel Discussion Three

Net Positive Buildings – The Key to Unlocking Net Zero?

Net Positive buildings are structures that create more energy than they consume and have a significant part to play in the journey towards a Net Zero future. A number of these structures have been delivered in the region but rolling them out at scale is essential. This session will discuss:

• Designing, delivering and operating Net Positive buildings in the Middle East, taking into account the region’s extreme environmental conditions
• Learnings from international Net Positive structures that can be implemented in the Middle East
• Net Positive buildings are focused on generating clean energy but how can these structures also be made more water efficient, recycle wastewater, and capture and use rainwater?
• Changing resident and operator mindsets to make Net Positive structures as efficient and as sustainable as possible
• Can existing building stock be retrofitted so it can become Net Positive? What are the hurdles to be overcome in this regard?
• Are performance-based building regulations key to ensuring that Net Positive structures remain true to their mandate through their entire lifecycle?

Moderator

Louise Collins, Partner, Focal Middle East

Confirmed Panelists

Ahmed El Dessouki, Regional Sales Director DX MEA – MCMI, Johnson Controls Hitachi Air Conditioning MEA

Dr. Paravasthu Ramaswamy Jagannathan, Senior General Manager, Sobha Realty

Margarita Huaca Valdiviezo, Engineer, Sustainable Development Expert, Enernouva

Muhammad Faisal Aziz, Regional Solution Architect / Segment Consultant – Buildings, Schneider Electric

Shahana Sayed, Principal Sustainability Consultant, Cundall

Event Wrap-up

MC closing remarks
Thank you for attending the 2025 Energy Water & Sustainability Summit!