CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Invited Speakers
Dr. Mario Antoniou
Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus
Dr. George Arampatzis
Technical University of Crete, Greece
Prof. Florencio Ballesteros
University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines
Prof. Damia Barcelo Culleres
University of Almeria, Spain
Dr. Laure Berti-Equille
Institut de recherche pour le developpement (IRD), France
Prof. Paolo S. Calabro
Universita Mediterraneo di Reggio Calabria, Italy
Dr. Changseok Hon
INHA University, South Korea
Prof. Marchello Colledoni
Politecnio di Milano, Italy
Pro. Kwang-Ho Choo
Kyungpook National University, South Korea
Dr. Polycorpos Falaras
National Centre for Scientific Research, Demokritos, Greece
Dr. Poblo Gago Ferrero
Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Spain
Prof. Shadi Hasan
Khalifa University, UAE
Prof. Carol Sze Ki LIN
City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Dr. Elena Lopez-Gunn
ICATALIST, Spain
Prof. Gerosimos Lyberotos
Notional Technical University of Athens, Greece
Prof. Giorgio Mannina
University of Palermo, Italy
Prof. Vincenzo Noddeo
University of Salerno, Italy
Prof. Maria Papadopoulou
National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Dr. Loannis Skiadas
Technical University of Denmark, Denmark, UK
Prof. Nikolaos Thomaidis
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Dr. Costas Velis
Imperial College London, UK
Dr. Paolo Verlicchi
University of Ferrara, Italy
Dr. Christos Vlachokostas
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Wednesday 3 September 2025, Room Panacea, 17:00
The agenda of the opening session comprises of:
3 - 6 September 2025
• Welcome speech and practical information about the conference from Demetris F. Lekkas (CEST2025 chair)
• Recognizing Innovation, Dr. David Solomon Jalajel, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW)
• Climate Change, Water Scarcity and Emerging Contaminants: Global Vision and Local Solutions in the Mediterranean Region: The Need for Advanced Water Treatment and Reuse, Prof. Domio Barcelo
• Resilience by design through water and nature: levers for change in the current policy landscape, Dr Elena Lopez Gunn Cocktail reception at 19:30 at Kipriotis Village Resort (conference venue)
workshop
Thursday 4 September 2025, Room Panacea, 11:30
The session explores innovative strategies for transforming agricultural and industrial residues into energy, advanced fuels, and value-added bioproducts. Utilizing insights from the BioF airNet project (https://biofairnetproject.eu/), it highlights how advanced green technologies and digital tools are supporting circular and bioeconomy transitions in carbon-intensive regions. It underscores how waste valorization technologies can reduce emissions while fostering local economic resilience. Energy-from-waste can be a pillar of the green and just transition, aiming to empower communities and bridge digital and socioeconomic divides.
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe under Grant Agreement N ° 101181568.
Special Tribute Session
Friday 4 September 2025, Room Aegle B, 9:00
At CEST2025, the Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) session will be dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dionysios (Dion) D. Dionysiou (1968 2023) - a pioneer in environmentalengineering,o globalleader in water treatment technologies,and a valued member of the CEST Organizing and Scientific Committee for manyyears.
A few words about Prof. Dionysiou
Dionysios (Dion) Dionysiou was a visionary scientist, mentor & philanthropist, who believed that access to Isafe drinking water should be a global right, regardless of geography, social status, or financial means. For nearly three decodes, he dedicated his career to advancing water purification & disinfection technologies, particularly through the development of innovative advanced oxidation processes.
Prof. Dionysiou earned his Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Notional Technical University of Athens (1991), followed by a Master's degree from Tufts University (1995) & a Ph.D. in EnvironmentalEngineering from the University of Cincinnati (2000). He served for 23 years at the University of Cincinnati, mentoring students, faculty, and scholars worldwide. His research addressed a brood spectrum of topics, including water treatment, advanced oxidation technologies, sustainable water processes, environmental nanotechnology, and the removal of biological and chemical contaminants. His 2023 publication in Water Journal reflects his extensive contributions to the field. Heauthored over 600 peer-reviewed pu blications and delivered more than 600 invited talks in +50 countries.From 2018 to 2022, he was consistently recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Web of Science in Engineering, Environment & Ecology, and Chemistry. Prof. Dionysiou also held leadership roles in the ACS Division of Environmental Chemistry, supporting early career, female, ond international researchers. He served os UNESCO Co-Choir Professor on "Water Access and Sustainability" (2013- 2017) and received numerous honors, including the 2014 AEESP Frontier in Research Award, the 2017 AEESP Distinguished Service Award, and the 2022 Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) Creativity Prize,awardedjointly with his students.
O’Shea, K.E., Antoniou, M.G. Dionysios (Dion) Demetriou Dionysiou (1966–2023). Nat Water 2, 104–105 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00204-x
Text authored by Dr Maria Antoniou, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
Workshop
Friday 5 September 2025, Room Aegle A, 11:30
This workshop will showcase key findings and tools developed within CLIMAS project (www.climos-project.eu/). The ambition of the CLIMAS project is to support the transformation to climate resilience by offering on innovative problemoriented climate adaptation toolbox, co-designed together with stakeholders by applying a value-based approach, design thinking methods and citizen science mechanisms.The workshop mainly aims to:
Present the CLIMAS project vision and initiatives developed for the enhancement of citizens' participation in decision-making
• Explore the CLIMAS Toolbox
• Introduce participants to the citizen-collaborative future scenorio-building methodology.
• Present the evaluation approach for monitoring the performance and impact of Climate Assemblies.
The expected outcomes include:
• Increased understanding of participatory tools for climate resilience
• Exchange of experiences and insights on best practices
• Strengthening collaboration among stakeholders in climate policy and engagement
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe under Grant Agreement N° 101094021.
Short course
Friday 5 September 2025, Room Aegle B, 17:00
This course (delivered by Prof. Damia Barcelo) is structured in 4 ports os follows:
• Part 1 will introduce the participants to the global pollution macro-plastic litter from rivers, sludge, soils, groundwaters and landfills to the sea
• Part 2 will explore sampling, extraction and analyis tools and processes
• Part 3 will delve into ecotoxicology and human health risks
• Part 4 will suggest remediation technologies and sustainable management solutions
Important notice: Attendance on the course is free of charge for CEST2025 registered participants
Special Session
Saturday 6 September 2025, Room Aegle A, 11:30
This session will be dedicated to exploring the environmental impacts of maritime transport, highlighting legislative, policy, ond technological solutions to mitigate them. Within this context, the NAVGreen project - on emblematic initiative aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping - will be presented. The session will address of brood spectrum of topics related to the environmental footprint of maritime activities.
Special Session
Saturday 6 September 2025, Room Aegle B, 15:30
The session (coordinated by Dr. Paola Verlicchi - University of Ferraro, Italy) aims to gather researchers, water professionals, technology developers, and policymakers to shore knowledge, tools, and experiences in the monitoring, removal, and risk assessment of micropollutants within the framework of urban wastewater reuse and circular economy principles.
Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 September 2025 (in parallel with CEST2025)
The International Academy in UrbanWaterSECURITY is on intensive training opportunity open to Master's and PhD students, post-docs, and young researchers. Urban water security is characterized by complex, so-called wicked, problems where traditional assumptions of causality and predictability may not apply. The fundamental importance of better connections between science, policy and society provides new demands on candidates, who ore increasingly expected to possess not only a deep knowledge of their own discipline but ore additionally capable of placing that knowledge in a wider understanding of societal needs.The Urban water security is one of the most important and priority issues to be resolved for both current and next generations.
The fourth edition of the UrbanWaterSECURITY Academy willbe held on the island of Kos, Greece, from September 3 to 6, 2025, in conjunction with CEST2025. This year's Academy is organized by the Waste Management Laboratory (Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, Greece), in cooperation with the Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED) of the University of Salerno (Italy).The lectures are included in the CEST2025 daily programme. The training includes lectures by Leading Experts, hands-On Workshops and discussions and Q&A sessions.
Important notice: Attendance at the Academy is free of charge for CEST2025 registered participants and a certificate willbeprovided
The conference dinner will be held on Saturday 6 September at 21:00. More details will be provided to you during the conference. Entrance is free for registered delegates, while the accompanying people can purchase vouchers at the secretariat desk.
Programme
CEST2015 Scientific Programme includes 31 sessions, running in 5 parallel rooms, with 309 oral and 195 poster presentations. The conference sessions cover 19 unique scientific topics. The up-to-date programme of each session is posted every morning in front of the respective room or in the respective poster area.
Premises
