International Conference and Workshops on Iceberg Utilization for Fresh-Water Production, Weather Modification and Other Applications 1 1977 Ames, Iowa

The First International Conference and Workshops on Iceberg Utilization for Fresh Water Production, Weather Modification, and Other Applications was held in Ames, Iowa, October 2-6, 1977. The conference drew approximately 175 scientists from around the globe to the Iowa State University campus, where they discussed icebergs as a potential solution to the world's need for more fresh water. Discussions were held on topics ranging from transportation of the icebergs, selection, weather modification, environmental, social, and political implications, and other topics relating to icebergs as a means of fresh water supply.

The principle sponsors of the conference were Prince Mohamed Al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia, donating $50,000 of his own money, and the National Science Foundation, which contributed $25,000. The conference was held in Ames largely due to Abdo Husseiny, a native of Egypt, who was an associate professor of nuclear engineering at Iowa State University. Husseiny invited the Prince, a personal friend, on a tour of research facilities in the United States.

Prince Al-Faisal, son of the late King Faisal and the president of the Iceberg Transport International Ltd. (a company he founded) in Saudi Arabia, became interested in iceberg transportation as a means of solving the water shortage plaguing his country. His ultimate goal was to transport an iceberg within ten years to his region to supply water and perhaps use cloud seeding to somewhat alter the arid desert climate. He attended business school in the United States for ten years and worked for the Saline Water Conservation Corporation for 15 years.

By 1982 interest from Prince Al-Faisal and the key organizer of the conference, Husseiny, had ended, largely due to lack of support from the Saudi Arabian government.