RIYADH, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia launched on Sunday the first Saudi Water Week in Jeddah, a five-day event drawing broad participation from local, regional and international communities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, running through Thursday, aims to support the kingdom's efforts to develop the water sector, enhance cooperation, promote innovation, and strengthen its role in advancing water security and sustainability.
Saudi Water Week includes two major events: the 7th Arab Water Forum and the second stakeholder consultation meeting of the 11th World Water Forum.
The events bring together policymakers, experts, representatives of regional and international organizations, government agencies, private-sector representatives, and research institutions.
An accompanying exhibition showcases the latest technologies and smart solutions in water resources management, desalination, water reuse, and digitalization. It also highlights the progress achieved by the Saudi water sector.
Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Alfadley said the kingdom had addressed water challenges through a gradual and integrated reform approach.
Alfadley highlighted that the water sector had undergone a comprehensive transformation over the past decade under Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy.
The minister said the reforms covered infrastructure, governance, regulation, financing, operations, and the localization of industry and expertise.
Alfadley noted that the consumption of non-renewable groundwater had fallen from about 21 billion cubic meters in 2016 to nearly 11 billion cubic meters in 2025, while desalinated water production capacity increased from 9 million to 16 million cubic meters per day over the same period.
He added that the water sector had become more efficient and attractive to private-sector investment, with partnership models and regulatory frameworks helping attract more than 60 billion Saudi riyals (about 16 billion U.S. dollars) in investments. ■
