CAIRO: Saudi Arabia called for enhancing effective water management and bolstering regional cooperation to address challenges facing the Arab water sector at the 17th session of the Arab Ministerial Water Council on Monday in Egypt.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of Cairo Water Week, which runs from October 24 to 29 under the theme “Water as a Catalyst for: Peace, Shared Prosperity, and a Sustainable Planet.”
During the event, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley affirmed that effective water management at both the national and regional levels is a major driver of stability, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
He added that turning water-related challenges into opportunities can help drive prosperity.
Alfadley underscored challenges facing the Arab water sector, including water scarcity, limited replenishment of water resources, difficulties in managing demand, as well as the effects of climate change and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
He highlighted the technical expertise and practical experience Arab countries have built up over decades, serving as a valuable foundation for improving water resource management and strengthening water security across the region.
The minister emphasised that sound water management, supported by governance, policies, innovation and financing, creates a favourable environment for attracting capital. It also helps generate jobs in the water sector and related industries, preserve water as a national asset, and expand investment opportunities across economic, social and environmental sectors.
Alfadley underscored the global priority of ensuring access to safe, clean water and sanitation services, noting that a gap remains in achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Saudi Arabia has given the water sector significant attention in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, the minister said. It has adopted the National Water Strategy and restructured the sector, establishing clear roles and targets across the entire water supply chain, from production, transmission and strategic storage to distribution, collection, treatment and reuse.
The efforts are guided by initiatives and projects scheduled under a supply-and-demand plan extending through 2075, he said.
Saudi Arabia has also encouraged private-sector investment in the water sector, Alfadley said. Private-sector investments in water projects have exceeded SAR56 billion.
The minister called on participants to contribute to international initiatives introduced or supported by Saudi Arabia, including the Global Water Organization (GWO) and the International Water Research Centre.
He also called on participants to engage in the 11th World Water Forum, which Riyadh will host from March 21 to 25, 2027, by participating in its three tracks: political, regional and thematic.
Alfadley also announced that registration for the forum has opened on its official website.
