The International Desalination Association announced that Sir Richard Branson is the keynote speaker for the 2011 IDA World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse on Sept. 4-9 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in Western Australia.
Branson will deliver his remarks via satellite during the opening ceremony. Known for his achievements as an entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group, Branson is deeply committed to using business as a force for good.
He founded Virgin Unite, a not-for-profit foundation that applies entrepreneurial approaches to social and environmental issues. One of its initiatives is the Carbon War Room, which harnesses the power of entrepreneurs, business leaders, policy experts, researchers and thought leaders to implement market-driven solutions to climate change.
The Virgin Green Fund invests in renewable energy and resource efficiency, while the Virgin Earth Challenge offers a $25 million prize to encourage a viable technology that results in the net removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases.
The opening ceremony will also feature a welcome-to-country presentation as well as remarks by key government and industry leaders.
Source: Seamonds; International Desalination Association
