المملكة: With a global presence.. launching the activities of the first Saudi Water Week in Jeddah

His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz inaugurated The First Saudi Water Week, which is held in the city of Jeddah during the period from June 28 to July 2, 2026 AD; To contribute to supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to support and develop the Water, enhancing cooperation and supporting innovation, and consolidating its position and global leadership in achieving water security and sustainability, with broad local, regional and international participation.

The week includes two main events: They are the Seventh Arab Water Forum, and the second consultative meeting of the Eleventh World Water Forum, with the participation of an elite group of decision-makers, experts, specialists, and representatives of regional and international organizations, in addition to government agencies, the private sector, and research institutions.

An accompanying exhibition will also be held within the week’s activities, bringing together a number of government agencies, and specialized national and international companies; To showcase the latest technologies, innovations, and smart solutions in the field of water resources management, desalination, reuse, and digitalization; This reflects the great development witnessed by the water sector in the Kingdom, and provides opportunities to exchange experiences and knowledge, and build qualitative partnerships.

Innovative solutions to water challenges

During his opening speech, His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture confirmed that the first edition of the Saudi Water Week in Jeddah Governorate carries a special symbolism in the region’s water journey, as signals of a shift towards innovative solutions to water challenges began when King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud – may God rest his soul – in the 1920s brought the first modern technologies for water desalination to serve visitors to the Sacred House of God, including Umrah pilgrims and pilgrims. To be an early message that innovation is a strategic option to confront the challenges of water scarcity in the Kingdom, and even in the world.

He explained that the Kingdom dealt with water challenges with a gradual and integrated reform approach. During the last decade, the water sector witnessed a comprehensive strategic transformation, which was not limited to the expansion of infrastructure only, but also included institutional structure, governance, organization, financing and operation, and the localization of industries and knowledge to raise the efficiency of investment, within an integrated reform framework led by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy.

And the engineer stated. Al-Fadhli said that this transformation was reflected in tangible performance indicators. The consumption of non-renewable groundwater decreased from approximately (21) billion cubic meters in 2016 AD to approximately (11.0) billion cubic meters in 2025 AD. The production capacity of desalinated water currently has reached (16) million cubic meters per day, compared to (9) million cubic meters per day in 2016 AD, and the percentage of access to safe drinking water services to the population is (100%), of which about (85%) is covered by the network, and the strategic storage capacity has increased by more than (125%).

The Minister indicated "the environment" The water sector has become more efficient and attractive for investment and partnership with the private sector, enabled by an integrated institutional framework that maximizes its participation along the supply chain, and thanks to the clarity of the regulatory and contractual frameworks and the expansion of partnership models and their enablers, which have succeeded in attracting investments exceeding (60) billion riyals, and have contributed to reducing the cost of water production and improving the efficiency of energy consumption in the production system. This reflects the water sector’s transition from a model that depends on the expansion of supply and services, to a model that balances supply. And demand, security of supply, efficiency, and financial and environmental sustainability.

He added that in light of the geopolitical developments the region is witnessing and fluctuations in supply chains and energy markets, and during the past months; The water system in the Kingdom has proven its ability to maintain security of supply and continuity of service, thanks to the diversity of production sources, the expansion of transportation networks, the increase in storage capacity, and the integration of governance and operation, which confirms that investment in water is an investment in human security, economic stability, and sustainable development.

Global Saudi Leadership

His Excellency stated that the Kingdom has effectively contributed to the regional and international water agenda, as it took the initiative to launch and activate important platforms and partnerships, the most prominent of which are Launching the World Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh, and the International Center for Water Research.

In addition to hosting summits, conferences, and specialized presidential and ministerial meetings that enhance international cooperation on water issues, such as the One Water Summit in 2024 AD, and the Eleventh World Water Forum scheduled to be held in Riyadh in 2027 AD, the first Saudi Water Week comes to be a national platform to unify efforts, and maximize the benefit from national and international conferences and events related to water, in order to achieve more momentum and interaction. With water issues and challenges, it supports the exchange of experiences locally and globally, opens new paths for partnerships, investment and innovation, serves water security and sustainability as an important economic resource, and enhances the Kingdom’s contribution to the future of water, Arab and global.

His Excellency pointed out that this edition of the week is of special importance because it includes two important main events; They are: the Seventh Arab Water Forum, which is organized by the Arab Water Council, and the second consultative meeting of the Eleventh World Water Forum, which represents an important station in the preparatory process for the Kingdom’s hosting of the World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027 AD, in partnership with the World Water Council.

Achieving water security

For his part, the President of the World Water Council, Loic Fouchon, stressed that non-traditional water resources, such as water desalination, water reuse, groundwater management, and water transportation, They represent essential pillars to ensure the achievement of water security in the future, by preserving available water resources and working to enhance them, and reducing irrational consumption and waste.

He pointed out the necessity of moving from discussion to implementation, by improving governance, enhancing financing, and adopting practical solutions and innovations in the sector; To contribute to protecting water infrastructure and services, especially in times of crises and conflicts, and to collectively confront water challenges, including water scarcity, floods, drought, and pollution.

While the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Water, Ms. Retno Marsudi, called for the integration of resilience in the face of water challenges into national planning, climate strategies, financing mechanisms, and development policies.

She indicated that international cooperation in the field of water is a basic necessity. To achieve sustainable development goals, it should be more coordinated and consistent, across the United Nations tracks and various global platforms, noting that the World Water Forum can play an important role in transforming global political commitments into practical solutions, effective partnerships, and financing and dissemination mechanisms for appropriate technologies.

An acute water threat

In turn, the President of the Arab Water Council, Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, explained that water scarcity in the Arab world constitutes an acute security threat, the impact of which is exacerbated by growth. Rapid population growth, financial constraints, and the region’s dependence on renewable water resources; Which affects energy security, food security, and social stability in the Arab region, adding that climate change will increase pressures on Arab water security, and he expected renewable water resources to decline by up to 20% by 2030.

Dr. Abu Zeid indicated that these challenges can be overcome with will and innovation, and a commitment to cooperation and participatory dialogue between the various parties concerned, to explore pioneering solutions, calling for strengthening the role of the private sector, and providing investmentable financing opportunities; To expand reliance on non-traditional water resources, and accelerate the implementation of practical solutions.

In addition, the first day will witness the holding of high-level dialogue sessions, with the participation of a number of water ministers in Arab countries and their deputies, in addition to sub-dialogue sessions, with the participation of an elite group of experts and specialists in the water sector from inside and outside the Kingdom.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter