Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78)

Countries bordering the Arabian Gulf rely heavily on desalinated water for life. An unfortunate bi-product of desalination is brine discharge, which has harmful effects on the Arabian Gulf ecosystem and marine life. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies have gained attention as environmentally acceptable solutions for brine disposal, particularly in inland areas.  However, traditional brine evaporation methods are energy-intensive and have significant carbon footprints.  Currently, there are limited viable solutions for brine discharge, and some commercial options are either infeasible or untested. In response to this challenge, Sandooq Al Watan, a private not-for-profit foundation based in the United Arab Emirates UAE), has launched the Re-Think Brine challenge in partnership with local industry and government partners, and regional university researchers.  The Re-Think Brine Challenge recognizes the need to address the environmental impact of brine discharge while also exploring its economic potential. This challenge aims to develop technologies that can transform brine discharge into commercially viable construction materials, contributing to the construction sector and the UAE's goal of sustainable development.  The expected impact of research outcomes from this challenge is significant. It includes protecting the Arabian Gulf ecosystem and marine life by minimizing harmful effects from brine discharge. The successful development of technologies for producing construction materials from brine discharge will foster an eco-friendly construction and real estate sector.
By fostering innovation and collaboration among scientists, researchers, and industry experts, this panel session will explore sustainable solutions for brine discharge, paving the way for a more environmentally conscious construction sector and contributing to the UAE's broader goals of sustainable development and water security.  The session incorporates research presentations from three finalists competing in the Re-Think Brine Challenge.  These researchers will showcase their ongoing projects, which explore various aspects of brine-based construction materials.  Following the research presentations, the moderator will facilitate the panel discussion, where researchers will share their experiences, insights, and the challenges they have encountered during the research process, shedding light on the potential benefits and implications of this innovative approach.  Local live and virtual attendees will gain firsthand knowledge of the cutting-edge research being conducted in the UAE, and have the opportunity to engage with the panelists through Q&A sessions to exchange their thoughts and ideas.