Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, has inaugurated the first edition of Saudi Water Week in Jeddah, bringing together broad local, regional, and international participation to strengthen cooperation, promote innovation, and support Saudi Arabia’s efforts to advance water security and sustainability.
The event, which runs through 2nd July (Thursday), was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley, along with senior officials from Saudi Arabia and abroad. The week is designed to reinforce the Kingdom’s leadership in the global water sector while fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Key events at Saudi Water Week 2026
Saudi Water Week features two major international events:
2nd Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting for the 11th World Water Forum.
The gatherings at Saudi Water Week bring together policymakers, water experts, specialists, representatives of regional and international organizations, government agencies, private-sector leaders, and research institutions to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the global water sector.
An accompanying exhibition showcases the latest technologies, innovations, and smart solutions in water resource management, desalination, water reuse, and digital transformation.
The exhibition also highlights Saudi Arabia’s progress in developing its water sector while facilitating knowledge sharing and partnerships between government entities and national and international companies.
Saudi spotlights water sector transformation
In his opening remarks, Minister Alfadley said that the inaugural Saudi Water Week holds special significance in Jeddah’s history of water development. He said the city’s transformation began after King Abdulaziz ordered the introduction of the first modern desalination technologies in the 1920s to provide water for visitors to the Grand Mosque, including Hajj pilgrims and Umrah performers.
Image credits: SPA | Cropped by GBN
The minister noted that Saudi Arabia has addressed water challenges through a gradual and integrated reform strategy over the past decade. The transformation has included infrastructure expansion, institutional reform, governance, regulation, financing, operations, and the localization of industry and expertise under Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy.
Water efficiency and investment continue to improve
Alfadley stated that the reforms have delivered measurable results across the sector. Consumption of non-renewable groundwater declined from approximately 21 billion cubic meters in 2016 to nearly 11 billion cubic meters in 2025, while desalinated water production capacity increased from 9 million cubic meters per day to 16 million cubic meters per day during the same period.
He added that access to safe drinking water has reached 100 percent of the population, while approximately 85 percent of residents are connected to the national water network. Strategic water storage capacity has also increased by more than 125 percent.
Image credits: SPA | Cropped by GBN
The minister said that an integrated institutional framework and clear regulatory and contractual systems have made the sector more attractive to private-sector investment. Expanded partnership models have attracted more than $16.0 billion (SAR60 billion) in investments while reducing water production costs and improving energy efficiency.
Alfadley commented that Saudi Arabia has shifted from a model focused primarily on expanding water supply to one that balances supply and demand while ensuring water security, operational efficiency, and environmental and financial sustainability.
He also highlighted the Kingdom’s growing role in the international water agenda through the launch of the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh, and the International Water Research Center. Saudi Arabia has also hosted specialized summits, conferences, and ministerial and presidential meetings, including the One Water Summit in 2024, and is preparing to host the 11th World Water Forum.
Image credits: SPA | Cropped by GBN
Saudi Water Week strengthen partnerships
The inaugural Saudi Water Week is intended to serve as a national platform for aligning efforts and maximizing the impact of domestic and international water conferences and initiatives, the minister said.
He added that the Saudi Water Week is expected to increase engagement on water-related issues, encourage the exchange of expertise, create new opportunities for partnerships, investment, and innovation, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s contribution to shaping the future of water security and sustainability across the Arab region and beyond.
