Mideast, global water sustainability under spotlight at Riyadh forum

The third Saudi Water Forum, being held in Riyadh until May 1, has featured 10 workshops focusing on the future of the water sector, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The forum was inaugurated on Monday by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli under the theme “Water Sustainability … Our Responsibility.”

The forum began with a workshop titled “Getting Started with MODFLOW for Groundwater Modeling” presented by a US Geological Survey speaker, alongside Saudi Aramco sessions titled “Water Conservation” and “Water Safety Plan.”

The National Water Co. presented its future projects and investment opportunities, showcasing its capital projects portfolio, long-term operation and maintenance contracts, and efforts to localize industries in the water sector.

The Saudi Irrigation Organization held a workshop titled “Innovative Techniques to Enhance Irrigation Efficiency and Agricultural Sustainability,” while the Saline Water Conversion Corp. hosted discussions on innovation and challenges in relation to emerging technologies.

The Saudi Water Partnership Co. outlined its services and future projects, while several UN organizations hosted a discussion titled “The Role of International Organizations in Developing the Water Sector.”

Additional workshops included “Water Treatment and Digital Solutions” by K-Water Corp. and “Non-Revenue Water Management” by the Turkish Society for Infrastructure and Trenchless Technologies.

Al-Fadhli opened the forum by stating that Saudi Arabia has launched several regional and global initiatives to address water challenges and explore sustainable solutions, aligning with Vision 2030.

He emphasized the government’s support and commitment to overcoming obstacles in the water sector, to enable the implementation of various strategic projects throughout the Kingdom.

Al-Fadhli highlighted the significance of Saudi Arabia’s water sector initiatives, noting their role in advancing national goals. He said the Kingdom is the world’s largest producer of desalinated water, underscoring the pivotal role of these initiatives.

Saudi Arabia’s projects include the establishment of the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh. This initiative showcases the Kingdom’s role in supporting global efforts to address water challenges and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.