Dubai, UAE, 24 June 2018: The Board of Directors of the International Desalination Association (IDA) invited Mutaz Ghandour, Chairman and CEO, Metito, to become a member of the IDA Honorary Council and an IDA Ambassador, the company announced in a Press communiqué.

The aim of this Council is to leverage the wealth of knowledge and experience that resides with its members to fulfil the IDA’s mission around the world and its commitment to encourage research, promote and exchange communication, disseminate information, and support education in the field of desalination and water sciences, the communiqué said.

Commenting on the invitation, Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General, IDA, said: “The IDA Honorary Council is recognition of notable individuals who have devoted their time to the Association and who have distinguished themselves in the field of desalination and advanced water treatment solutions. Through the support of the Honorary Council members, who will act as ambassadors for the Association, IDA will intensify the engagement with the world’s policymakers to help ensure sustainable solutions to growing water scarcity challenges.”

IDA is a non-profit association and is associated with the United Nations as part of a growing international network of non-governmental organisations, the communiqué said. The IDA Honorary Council will be balanced by regional representation from five regions: Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and Africa, North America, Pacific and Asia, the communiqué further said.

Commenting on his invitation, Ghandour said: “It is an honour to accept this expression of confidence and invitation from the IDA. Water scarcity is not an industry issue, but an issue of general and global importance and I hope the IDA Honorary Council can add shared value on this front.”