The scientific and technical sessions of Saudi Water Week 2026 have concluded in Jeddah after four days of discussions on water security, sustainability, governance, digital transformation, and technology localization.
Saudi Water Week 2026 brought together decision-makers, experts, researchers, and representatives from international organizations, government entities, and the private sector to discuss the future of water management at the local, regional, and global levels.
The final day of Saudi Water Week focused on innovative water resource management solutions, strengthening community resilience to environmental and climate challenges, and global best practices in governance, investment, digital transformation, and technology localization.
Discussions also covered integrated water risk management, the water-food security nexus, and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to localize supply chains and attract investment to strengthen the water sector.
Specialized workshops examined water transmission systems, smart data and remote sensing applications, water auditing governance, incident investigation, and measures to improve safety and operational efficiency.
Organizers said the wide range of topics discussed during Saudi Water Week reflects the growing global focus on water challenges and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing international dialogue, innovation, and partnerships to support water security and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Image credits: SPA | Cropped by GBN
Participants said digital transformation in the water sector has become an economic, environmental, and national priority that strengthens water security, improves resource management, and supports sustainable decision-making through data.
They highlighted technology and artificial intelligence (AI) as key tools to reduce water losses, improve operational efficiency, and advance the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Participants also noted that while digital data is available across water networks, the key challenge is collecting, analyzing, and effectively using it to improve performance.
They added that international experience shows every Saudi Riyal invested in digitalization can generate a fivefold return through lower water losses and reduced operating costs, enhancing efficiency and service reliability across the sector.
