Prof. Sandhya Babel is a Full Professor at the School of Biochemical Engineering and Technology, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Thailand. Her main research interests include microplastics pollution and uptake by biota, microbial fuel cells, adsorption, photocatalysis, waste to energy, phytoremediation, LCA and membrane technology. She has published over 170 articles, with an h-index of 39 and 10,776 citations (Scopus, June 2025). Prof. Babel is Associate Editor of the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association and Guest Editor of the Journal of Environmental Management. She has been listed among Stanford University’s top 2% scientists in Environmental Sciences for four consecutive years and received honors including Distinguished Professor (2024) and Outstanding Researcher in Science and Technology (2025) from Thammasat University.

Speech Title: Microplastics Contamination in Thailand’s Environment – Challenges and way forward

Prof. Dr. Harald Platen is the director of the Master's program in Environmental, Hygiene, and Safety Engineering at the Technical University of Mittelhessen, Giessen Campus, Germany. His research focuses on environmental analysis, ecotoxicology, occupational hygiene, and quality assurance through the accreditation of testing laboratories. Reflecting the applied sciences nature of his university, most of his work is done in cooperation with industry partners aiming at practical implementation, and therefore his work is published only to a limited extent. His recent work centers on nutrient recovery from wastewater, evaluation of climate protection measures, and integrating these with occupational health and safety management regarding hazardous substances. He is a board member of the German Society for Occupational Hygiene (DGAH) and chairs the Advisory Board on Consumer Health Protection, advising German federal ministries.

Speech Title: Efficiency of carbon dioxide capture of lime-treated WWTP sludge by re-carbonation: contribution to greenhous gas management

Prof. Varenyam Achal  is a Tenured Professor and Deputy Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Shantou. He earned his PhD in environmental engineering in 2010 and has since focused on environmental remediation and bio-based building materials. Prof. Varenyam has led numerous projects, including those funded by NSFC, and has published over 100 journal articles, two books, and holds two patents. With an h-index of 50 and over 9,400 citations, he serves as an associate editor for Frontiers in Marine Sciences and is on the editorial boards of International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation and Environmental Technology. He is also listed among the top 2% of most-cited scientists by Stanford University.

Speech Title: Biocementation Using Waste-Derived Bio-Composites for Sustainable Self-Healing Concrete

Prof. Fares Almomani is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Qatar University, specializing in renewable energy, environmental engineering, and advanced water treatment. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Barcelona, focusing on advanced oxidation and biological treatment. With over 350 journal articles and a Scopus H-index of 53, his research includes sustainable bioenergy, nanotechnology, water treatment, and biofuels. He has led projects funded by the Qatar National Research Fund and the EU, focusing on solar water treatment, carbon capture, and waste-to-energy. His commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration has made him a key figure in global energy and environmental issues.

Speech Title:  Renewable Fuel Production via Integration of Solar-Driven Biomass Conversion and Thermochemical Water Splitting Technologies

Prof. Jiayuan Ji is a Project Lecturer (Senior Assistant Professor) at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He holds the Italian National Scientific Qualification – Associate Professor in Environmental Engineering (2025). His interdisciplinary research covers wastewater treatment, energy and resource recovery, machine-learning applications in environmental engineering, and life-cycle assessment for sustainability. He has published extensively in high-impact journals and serves as an Associate Editor and editorial-board member for several journals. His work has earned prestigious distinctions including the Research Award of the Society for the Promotion of Construction Engineering and the Young Water Professional Award from the International Water Association. He was honored as a HOPE Fellow at the HOPE Meeting with Nobel Laureates and was nominated by JSPS for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

Speech Title: Machine Learning Applications in Water and Wastewater Treatment: Opportunities and Challenges

Prof. Foo Keng Yuen  is the UNESCO Co-Chair on Eco-hydraulics for Sustainable Water Infrastructures (SDG 6) in Asia and the Pacific. His research expertise are ranging from environmental engineering, water treatment, catalysis, waste utilization, food security to environmental health. He has led research projects amounting over RM 10 million and consultancy works exceeding RM 3 million. With over 200 international publications, more than 20,000 citations, and an h-index of 53 he holds 3 patents, 1 trade-secret, and 1 trademark. Prof. Foo has been recognized among the world's Top 2% Scientists and Highly Cited Scientist by Stanford University for six consecutive years. He received major honors including TOYM 2022, TRSM 2019, National Young Scientist 2017, International Young Inventor Award, and an honorary doctorate. He serves as editor, reviewer, and speaker across global scientific platforms, and is a consultant to UNESCO workshops and Industrial Consultant for TG Ocean and Gold Choice Food Industries.

Speech Title: A shared view on the Pragmatic Efforts in partnership with UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks for the Sustainability of Environmental Science and Industrial Ecology