This week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held the BusinessH2O Summit, a conference bringing together business leaders, government officials, and water experts from the United States and Israel to discuss best practices in corporate water stewardship and public policies to address the growing demand for water. The U.S. Chamber also launched the U.S.-Israel Water Working Group under the umbrella of its U.S.-Israel Business Initiative to support ongoing efforts in advancing water sustainability. The Working Group will conduct a BusinessH2O mission to Israel next year.
“As a significant user of water, the business community has a critical role to play in driving solutions to water challenges through greater efficiencies and conservation” said Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Our private sector needs to partner with water-advanced countries like Israel to adopt new technologies and best practices in water management, which will help create jobs and grow our economy.”
Companies and universities addressed issues such as improving water governance to promote economic growth, promoting investment in water technology, and strengthening U.S. collaboration with Israel on water policy and technology. High-level government leaders including Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona, and the Executive Director for the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development Steve Hill discussed the importance of public-private partnerships. Featured topics and speakers can be found here.
The BusinessH2O Summit was organized in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry, led by Oded Distel, Director of Israel NewTech. A delegation of Israeli water technology start-ups, organized by the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce, travelled to Las Vegas for the Summit.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation released its 2016 case-study report on corporate water stewardship at the summit, and the U.S. Chamber is producing a white paper on the summit’s key takeaways for the next administration.
The conference concluded with a memorandum of understanding signing between Israel’s National Technological Innovation Authority and Nevada’s WaterStart, a public-private joint venture to coordinate expertise and infrastructure on water innovation.
Resources:
Nevada and Israel together can Shape the Future of Water
http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/nevada-and-israel-together-can-shape-the-future-water
Nevada, Israel at Las Vegas Summit agree to Collaborate on Water Innovation
Experts Discuss How to Protect Water
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/experts-discuss-how-to-protect-water/618620215
Arizona Water Leaders Confer with Colorado River states on Drought Contingency Plan
Special Thanks to our Summit Sponsors:
MGM Resorts International – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev – Arizona State University – PepsiCo – Nestlé Water North America – Haifa Group – RWL Water – Netafim
Thank you to our Organizational Partners:
Israel-America Chamber of Commerce – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce – Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry – Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce – Desert Research Institute – Texas Association of Business – San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce – Southern Nevada Water Authority – California Chamber of Commerce – The Water Council – WaterStart – American Water Works Association