Saudi Arabia launched the inaugural Saudi Water Week in Jeddah on June 28, 2026, bringing together international experts and officials to address water security. According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Kingdom has increased desalinated water production to 16 million cubic meters daily while cutting non-renewable groundwater consumption.
Saudi Arabia is currently hosting the inaugural Saudi Water Week in Jeddah, an intensive gathering running from June 28 to July 2, 2026. According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), the event was launched on Sunday in the presence of Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region. The high-profile gathering convenes local, regional, and international decision-makers, government entities, and private-sector leaders to support the development of the Kingdom’s water sector and bolster global water sustainability.
Jeddah Summit Combines Arab Forum and Global Consultations
The week-long program serves as an umbrella for two major events: the 7th Arab Water Forum and the Second Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting for the 11th World Water Forum. Speaking during the opening ceremony, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley detailed how the Kingdom has addressed its water hurdles through a phased and integrated reform program over the past decade. According to MEWA, these sweeping transformations encompass governance, regulation, financing, operational frameworks, and the localization of industries to improve investment efficiency under Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy.
Performance indicators highlighted by Minister Alfadley show stark shifts in national water metrics. Consumption of non-renewable groundwater dropped from approximately 21 billion cubic meters in 2016 down to roughly 11 billion cubic meters in 2025. Meanwhile, daily desalinated water production capacity climbed from 9 million cubic meters in 2016 to 16 million cubic meters. Access to safe drinking water has expanded to 100% of the population, with roughly 85% reached via the distribution network, while strategic water storage capacity grew by more than 125%.
International Cooperation and Regional Scarcity Pressures
Global leaders at the Jeddah event emphasized that modern water security relies heavily on non-conventional resources and international cooperation. World Water Council President Loïc Fauchon noted that desalination, water reuse, groundwater management, and water transfer are fundamental pillars for future security. Fauchon stressed the necessity of conserving resources and shifting from dialogue to practical implementation through enhanced governance and financing.
Water resilience must be integrated into national planning, climate strategies, financing mechanisms, and development policies. Retno Marsudi, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water
Adding regional urgency to the discussions, Arab Water Council President Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid warned that water scarcity remains a severe security threat across the Arab world. Driven by rapid population growth, financial constraints, and heavy reliance on renewable resources, the region faces mounting pressures that impact energy, food security, and social stability. According to Dr. Abu-Zeid, climate change threatens to reduce renewable water resources across the Arab world by up to 20% by 2030.
Riyadh Prepares for the 2027 World Water Forum
Saudi Arabia has cemented its footprint in international water diplomacy by establishing platforms such as the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh, alongside the International Water Research Center. Minister Alfadley pointed to past and future milestones, including the One Water Summit 2025 and preparations to host the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027.
As dialogue sessions between water ministers, deputy ministers, and international experts continue through July 2, 2026, participants are focusing on translating political commitments into deployable technologies and practical partnerships. United Nations Special Envoy on Water Retno Marsudi stressed that such forums are vital for aligning national policies with Sustainable Development Goals.
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