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The Saudi Press Agency reported that the inaugural Saudi Water Week, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, featured 97 specialized sessions along with 20 participating pavilions and attracted 20 ministerial delegations plus more than 180 international experts and speakers. Discussions centered on advancing water security, sustainability and innovation while positioning the kingdom at the center of international dialogue ahead of the 11th World Water Forum. The ministry’s event in late June built directly on reforms pursued under Saudi Vision 2030 to address water scarcity through integrated policies that extend beyond infrastructure to encompass governance and financing.
According to the Saudi Press Agency the final sessions emphasized water governance, technology localization and community resilience to environmental and climate challenges with participants agreeing on proactive strategies for sustainable resource management. The ministry outlined a gradual approach that includes institutional reform, regulation and localization of expertise as essential complements to expanding desalination capacity and improving efficiency. Such measures respond to Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the most water-stressed countries where per capita renewable water resources remain far below global averages.
A high-level panel moderated by an Oliver Wyman partner examined pathways to sustainable water and land use with international officials stressing the need to shift from reactive drought responses to integrated preparedness that links agriculture, finance and public policy. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture assessment found that current drought impacts already affect water and food security across the region requiring stronger local community involvement in solution design. Experts at the event highlighted how combined water and land management can enhance resilience while supporting broader development objectives.
The Saudi Press Agency indicated that digital transformation and artificial intelligence emerged as central tools for improving resource monitoring and operational efficiency throughout the water sector. Ministry officials described how these technologies now form a core element of efforts to modernize management practices and reduce waste in distribution networks. Sessions also explored financing models and water diplomacy as avenues to strengthen cross-border cooperation on shared challenges.
In remarks carried by Arab News the ministry framed the week as a strategic milestone that reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global sustainability dialogues and prepares the ground for the 2027 forum in Riyadh. The gathering included contributions from organizations such as the Arab Water Council and ICARDA which convened panels on regional actions for water resilience under climate change. These parallel tracks examined technology for water-efficient food and energy systems across the Middle East and North Africa.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture data placed the event as the first in a planned series that will continue to align national reforms with international benchmarks for equitable access and conservation. Participants reviewed progress on desalination expansion, wastewater reuse and smart irrigation techniques that have already reduced agricultural water demand in targeted areas. Outcomes from the Jeddah sessions will feed into ongoing preparations that aim to shape actionable commitments at the upcoming world forum.
