Muscat – Muscat, the capital city of Oman, is going to host the first-ever International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress in the Middle East scheduled to be held from October 30 to November 1.

The most important event for the international waste management industry, the ISWA congress will be hosted by the Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah), marking a significant leap in the field of waste management within the MENA region.

Tariq Ali al Amri, CEO of be’ah, in comments to Waste Management World (WMW) magazine recently said that Oman’s selection as the host country for the Congress is a significant recognition of its leadership and expertise in waste management.

“This accolade positions Oman as a hub for knowledge exchange and innovation. It is a momentous achievement for Oman, as it establishes the nation as a trailblazer in sustainable waste management practices within MENA,” he was quoted by WMW.

By leveraging this opportunity, Oman will showcase its commitment to environmental preservation, position itself as a regional leader, foster knowledge exchange, and stimulate economic growth.

As the world looks to address pressing waste management challenges, Oman’s efforts in organising this congress serve as an inspiration and catalyst for positive change on a global scale, he added.

With its theme focused on ‘Global Action Towards a Net-Zero Future’ and its incorporation of circular economy and sustainable resource management principles, the congress is positioned as an important event to mould a more sustainable and environmentally resilient future.

Being the first-ever ISWA World Congress to be hosted in MENA, this event presents a unique and noteworthy platform for the exchange of expertise and the sharing of best practices in the domains of circular economy and sustainable resource management in the region.

Attendees can expect to be engrossed in an immersive and educationally enriching environment that highlights ingenious solutions pertaining to waste prevention, recycling methodologies, and resource recovery techniques.

The congress agenda is set to include discussions, presentations, and interactive workshops facilitated by experts hailing from diverse sectors.

All these sessions will be centred around the core themes of circular economy and sustainable resource management strategies.

Dr Simon Baptist, Global Chief Economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit in Singapore, will deliver the keynote address on the first day of the congress.

A panel discussion on ‘Global Citizenship’ will highlight the importance of individual and collective actions in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability.

It will underscore the role of individuals, communities, organisations and nations in actively engaging with climate-related challenges and making a positive impact on the environment.

Another panel discussion – ‘CEO Roundtable: The next billion tons!’ – will be held on the second day with an insightful discussion with CEOs of global waste companies on how effective waste management, anchored on circular economy solutions, is helping to address climate and sustainability challenges.

A comprehensive lineup of discussions will allow participants to delve into cutting-edge technologies, explore innovative policy frameworks, and gain insights from successful case studies that effectively showcase the immense potential of adopting a circular economy approach in the realm of waste management.