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The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture wrapped up the first edition of Saudi Water Week in Jeddah after five days that attracted 20 ministerial delegations along with more than 2,500 participants from over 80 countries. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the event featured 180 international experts and speakers who contributed to 97 specialized sessions supported by 20 exhibition pavilions. These activities positioned the gathering as a strategic step in advancing global water sector collaboration while setting clear directions for the Road to Riyadh 2027 process.
Discussions during the Jeddah program concentrated on practical approaches to cutting water waste, raising efficiency levels and identifying new opportunities to bolster water security worldwide. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the week established a comprehensive roadmap to guide preparations for the 11th World Water Forum, promoting integrated solutions through sustained dialogue, knowledge sharing and partnership building. Outcomes from the sessions will feed directly into the broader preparatory framework leading to the main event in the Saudi capital.
The 11th World Water Forum is set to take place in Riyadh from March 21 to 25, 2027, under the theme Action for a Better Tomorrow, the official forum website shows. Organizers have already released a thematic framework that encompasses six main themes and 30 detailed topics addressing urgent global water issues. The World Water Council, co-hosting the forum with Saudi authorities, co-organized an initial stakeholders meeting in April 2025 that drew more than 600 participants from 60 countries to launch the process.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture noted strong positive feedback on the Jeddah event’s organization and its success in merging several water-related forums into one unified platform. This approach strengthened both political commitments and technical exchanges while moving forward the detailed planning for the 2027 gathering. Participants praised the structure that allowed for focused yet wide-ranging conversations on sector priorities.
Further stakeholder consultations are planned in the period ahead to refine the agenda before the Riyadh forum opens, according to the World Water Council. Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting reflects its growing engagement in international water policy coordination, building on earlier preparatory steps taken since the 2025 kickoff meeting. The roadmap produced in Jeddah will continue to orient these efforts toward measurable progress on shared water challenges.
