Initiatives to tackle global water scarcity unveiled to WIEF 2014

The global scarcity of water and how this vital challenge can be addressed was discussed during a captivating session led by Saran Kaba Jones, Founder and CEO of FACE Africa, a community development organisation working to strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene, and Michael W Pritchard MBE, Founder and Inventor of the LIFESAVER® system, an innovative, low-cost technology which provides safe drinking water at point of use.

With over one billion people worldwide, including 350 million in Africa, suffering from a lack of access to a safe water supply, the ability to resolve this situation is a priority for governments, charities and the private sector around the world. Over 2 million people die from waterborne diseases every year, the majority of whom are children under the age of five. Meanwhile, in some African countries, women can spend as much as 60% of their day travelling to collect safe drinking water. This leads to a loss of productivity economically and can hinder a countries development.

However, technologies and solutions to the water scarcity challenge are available and the emphasis is now on ensuring they are transported those regions which need them most through the effective use of resources and efficient use of funding. One such technology, which was demonstrated live to the astounded audience during the session, is the LIFESAVER® bottle. Developed by Michael Pritchard after he witnessed the devastating aftereffects from the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the LIFESAVER® system allows even the most putrid of water to be made safe and drinkable, allowing people to be lifted out of water poverty and saved after a natural disaster.

Saran Kaba Jones, Founder and CEO of FACE Africa, said: "The lack of access to safe drinking water, which affects over one billion people globally, is one of the most severe challenges facing the world today. Although this crisis is serious, it is solvable through the implementation of social, low-cost household solutions in the communities that need it most. Which technology is used depends on the individual community needs, however, it remains important that the solutions deployed are inclusive, ethical and economically viable".

Michael W Pritchard MBE, Founder and Inventor of LIFESAVER®, added: "Everyone deserves safe drinking water. What we have pioneered at LIFESAVER® are a range of low-cost products that can filter and clean water making it safe to drink. This technology is already being used in key regions around the globe and for a range of different uses. We have helped hundreds of thousands of people produce safe, sterile drinking water, and, as we continue to grow and expand our reach to those in need, will continue to change lives around the world".

Since 2010, FACE Africa has implemented a host of water, sanitation and hygiene projects in rural Liberia that have benefited over 10,000 people. Through its projects, the time spent collecting and transporting water, which amounts to over 200,000 hours every year, is now spent on income generating activities, housework or childcare.

In 2013, Saran was also named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader along with 198 young leaders from 70 countries. Young Global Leaders are honored by the World Economic Forum for their professional accomplishments and commitment to society.

Michael has recently been appointed a Member of the British Empire as part of the Queen's Birthday Honors List. Michael's award is in recognition of his innovative drive to tackle water poverty.

For more information, visit the 10th WIEF website: www.10thwief.org

Dubai's ruler launches National Innovation Strategy

The U.A.E. will become one of the most innovative countries in the world through a focus on seven sectors: renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water and space

Dubai, 19th October, 2014 (WAM) - His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, launched a National Innovation Strategy today that aims to make the U.A.E. among the most innovative nations in the world within seven years.

The strategy will stimulate innovation in seven sectors where innovation is key to excellence: renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water and space. Its first phase includes 30 national initiatives to be completed within three years. These include new legislation, innovation incubators, investment in specialised skills, private-sector incentives, international research partnerships, and an innovation drive within government.

"The UAE is already the most innovative Arab nation. Our target is to be among the most innovative nations in the world.The competitiveness race demands a constant flow of new ideas, as well as innovative leadership using different methods and tools to direct the change," HH Sheikh Mohammed said at the launch of the strategy.

"This innovation strategy is a national priority for our programme of development and progress. It is a primary tool to achieve Vision 2021 and an engine for the growth of distinctive skills and capabilities across the nation. We have always called for creativity in every field: this strategy is a concrete step to implement that vision. These initiatives around innovation will enhance quality of life in the UAE and take our economy to new horizons," HH Sheikh Mohammed added.

H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs were present at the launch ceremony.

The strategy works along 4 parallel tracks.

The first track will anchor a stimulating environment for innovation in the form of supportive institutions and laws. It will shape specialised entities such as innovation incubators as well as technological infrastructure to fuel innovation in all sectors. It will also focus on research and development in various innovation fields.

The second track will develop government innovation by institutionalising innovative practices with the support of an integrated system of modern tools. The strategy requires all government entities to reduce spending by 1% and to dedicate the savings to research and innovation projects. National training and education programmes on innovation will also be launched.

The third track will encourage private sector innovation by stimulating companies to establish innovation and scientific research centres, to adopt new technologies, and to develop innovative products and services. The U.A.E. will attract pioneering international firms in key innovation sectors, establish innovation communities and zones, and support applied research in areas of national priority. It will also enhance the UAE?s position as an international centre to test new innovations.

The fourth track will qualify individuals with highly innovative skills by concentrating on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including the creation of educational material for schools and universities. The aim is to establish a national culture that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship through partnerships between the public, private and media sectors.

"Innovation today is driven by effective institutions, strong policies, specialised skills, and an economy where all sectors work together to discover new ways to conduct business. A flexible and creative economy based on a national culture of innovation is the fastest and most sustainable way to reinforce the U.A.E.?s competitiveness on a global level," HH Sheikh Mohammed said.

Current annual investment in innovation is worth AED 14 billion in the U.A.E., of which AED 7 billion goes to research and development. Innovation spending will rise significantly in the years to come.

The National Innovation Strategy includes 16 indicators to measure progress. Government-sector indicators include the percentage of innovative ideas and the proportion of budget allocated to innovation. Private-sector indicators include R&D investment and the knowledge profile of the workforce. Global indicators include an overall measure comparing countries? innovation capabilities, as well as indicators for the protection of intellectual property, the creation of patents and the availability of scientists and engineers.

The strategy contains practical initiatives in each of its seven priority sectors.

In the field of renewable energy, the strategy will establish a new organisation to facilitate decentralised power generation projects such as small-scale solar installations. The strategy will also encourage innovation in the renewables industry while also supporting applied research in clean technology.

In transportation, the strategy will stimulate innovation in air and sea travel as well as logistics. The aim is to provide new products and services, make procedures more effective, and save time. The strategy will also focus on innovation in the field of unmanned drones.

In education, the strategy will establish innovation labs in schools and universities as part of a drive to equip students with targeted skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, perseverance and adaptability.

In health, the strategy will promote advanced technologies in healthcare services. It will stimulate the growth of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries while also working with strategic partners to support medical research.

On the topic of water, the strategy will seek innovative solutions to the challenge of water scarcity.

Finally, the strategy will support space technology for the purpose of exploration as well as satellite communicationsand specialised research on terrestrial applications.