IDA ANNOUNCES SIGNING MOU WITH THE CANADA OCEAN RACING BE WATER POSITIVE TEAM

The International Desalination Association (IDA) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Canada Ocean Racing Be Water Positive Team. Their mission is to be the first Canadian team to complete the Vendée Globe, and to sail under a new purpose, committed to building awareness of what water positivity truly means through key partnerships, raising awareness, and promoting Be Water Positive.

The agreement between the IDA and the Canada Ocean Racing Be Water Positive Team solidifies their shared commitment to promoting sustainable water practices. Through this collaboration, the team will leverage the expertise and resources of the IDA to further its mission of promoting water positivity. By forging alliances with key organizations in the water reuse and desalination space and supporting the UN Water Action Decade, the team aims to educate and engage the public on the importance of responsible water usage.

Skipper Scott Shawyer had the following on the team's new name and purpose. "Through my experiences on the oceans, I have come to think a great deal about water. Despite its apparent abundance, clean freshwater is a scarce and invaluable resource needed to sustain human life. As Canadians, we are privileged to have vast freshwater resources that we sometimes take for granted. As Be Water Positive, we recognize the urgent need for responsible water management. Embracing this new purpose allows us to shed light on global water scarcity and inspire positive change. Together with our key partners, we can make a significant impact by promoting a message of water positivity.”

Water positivity refers to the practice of contributing more to freshwater resources than is consumed. It encompasses various approaches, including reducing water consumption “footprint,” reusing water resources, and producing more freshwater through sustainable desalination.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Be Water Positive IMOCA team. The team will cross the oceans with a profound purpose, spotlighting and educating people on the need for water sustainability solutions and protecting our oceans, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, Clean Water and Sanitation for All, and Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action. With over 2 billion people lacking access to clean drinking water today and an expected increase in water demand of more than 50% by 2050, coupled with the need to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change on freshwater resources, the IDA is thrilled to support the team in their Sustainability Education Program about desalination and water reuse systems to create a water-positive world, complementing our commitment to the IDA Be Water Positive program,” stated Shannon McCarthy, IDA, Executive Director.

Be Water Positive is the newly launched team name and purpose of Canada Ocean Racing. Their mission is to be the first Canadian team to complete the Vendée Globe while promoting water positivity and raising awareness about the importance of responsible water usage. The team aims to build a world-class North American offshore sailing team and actively supports the UN Water Action Decade to mobilize action for improved water management.

Canada Ocean Racing, founded by Scott Shawyer, is a Canadian Offshore Sailing Team competing in the IMOCA Globe Series, including the infamous Vendée Globe race. Scott Shawyer will compete in the Vendée Globe in 2028, aiming to become the first Canadian to finish this solo, non-stop, race around the world.

Canada Ocean Racing now renamed Be Water Positive, will build and lead a world-class offshore sailing venture, and in doing so, inspire the next generation while creating a solid foundation for the continued development of the sport across the nation.

The Vendée Globe is widely regarded as the toughest sporting challenge on the planet, one which sees the world’s most accomplished solo sailors push their minds and bodies to the limits onboard 18 meter (60 foot) long state-of-the-art carbon fibre vessels, purpose-built to withstand the savageries of the world’s oceans. A true showcase of design, technology, and on-water aptitude, the round-the- world endeavour has only ever been won by a French sailor. vendeeglobe.org/en

Scott Shawyer is the Skipper and President of Canada Ocean Racing, a new world-class offshore sailing venture. Scott was President and CEO of JMP Solutions for the past 25 years, an industrial technology company that provides engineering services and turnkey solutions and is credited for the significant growth of the company with 15 business units located in Canada and the United States. A lifelong sailor, adventurer, and athlete, Scott has trekked to the North Pole raising over five hundred thousand dollars for various charities and as an accomplished downhill ski racer, is a member of the Canadian master's Alpine Team.

The International Desalination Association, established in 1973, is the point of connection for the global desalination and water reuse community. A non-profit association, IDA serves members in more than 60 countries and reaches an additional 15 affiliate member organizations, both regional and national. Its membership comprises scientists, developers, off-takers, regulators, end-users, engineers, consultants, media, and researchers from governments, corporations, and academia. As an NGO with recognized consultative status by the United Nations ECOSOC and a member of the UN-Water Special Framework for Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) hosted by the UN FAO Land and Water Division, the IDA promotes solutions to water scarcity. idadesal.org

For the latest news and information about the Canada Ocean Racing Be Water Positive Team, follow them at: www.canadaoceanracing.com

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