The inaugural Saudi Water Week concluded in Jeddah on July 2, 2026, after five days of intensive discussions, drawing more than 2,500 participants from over 80 countries. The event laid out a comprehensive roadmap for the 11th World Water Forum, which Saudi Arabia will host in Riyadh in 2027.
Event Highlights and Participation
Held from June 28 to July 2, the conference attracted 20 ministerial delegations, over 180 international experts and speakers, and featured 97 specialized sessions and activities alongside 20 participating pavilions, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the event was described as a strategic milestone in advancing global cooperation on water issues and positioning the Kingdom at the center of international dialogue on water security, sustainability, and innovation.
Road to Riyadh 2027 Framework
The ministry announced that Saudi Water Week established a comprehensive “Road to Riyadh 2027” framework that will guide preparations for the World Water Forum, one of the world’s largest gatherings on water issues. The event also hosted consultative meetings for the 11th World Water Forum and the Seventh Arab Water Forum, bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from Saudi Arabia, the Arab region, and beyond. Discussions focused on reducing water waste, improving efficiency, expanding access to sustainable water solutions, and addressing future challenges to water security. Workshops and dialogue sessions examined governance, financing, innovation, integrated water resources management, and youth engagement, with organizers aiming to translate ideas into practical and implementable strategies. The ministry reported positive feedback for integrating multiple international forums into a single platform that strengthened both political and technical dialogue and accelerated preparations for the global gathering in Riyadh.
Global Recognition and Leadership
During the event, World Water Council President Loïc Fauchon praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership in developing the water sector and suggested the Kingdom should aspire to become the world’s “water capital.” Speaking at the second stakeholders’ consultation meeting for the World Water Forum, Fauchon stated that the council remains committed to ensuring the success of the 2027 forum through international partnerships, sustainable solutions, and innovation. He identified food, health, the environment, and renewable energy as priority areas and emphasized that the forum in Riyadh should help mobilize proposals from experts and institutions worldwide. Fauchon also reiterated the council’s commitment to supporting poorer regions in securing access to clean water and called for safe drinking water to remain at the top of international political and development agendas.
Reforms and Partnerships Announced
Throughout the week, Saudi officials highlighted major reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening water governance and sustainability. The Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) showcased initiatives on treated water reuse, sustainable resource management, digital transformation, smart data, remote sensing, and the Irrigation Practices Code. The organization signed five agreements and memoranda of understanding with the Saudi Water Authority and other entities to strengthen cooperation, support the adoption of the Irrigation Practices Code, qualify irrigation-system auditors, and develop modern technologies to improve water-use efficiency. The SIO exhibition pavilion also featured digital services, technology solutions, guidance manuals, and a mobile laboratory designed to promote best practices in irrigation and support more sustainable water management in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Earlier in the week, Saudi authorities announced a series of reforms and strategic agreements aimed at accelerating innovation, expanding international partnerships, and reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a global hub for water-sector cooperation.
Historical Mural and Future Ambitions
One of the highlights of the accompanying exhibition was a historical mural documenting more than 90 years of development in Saudi Arabia’s water sector. The exhibit traced the sector’s evolution from 1931, when King Abdulaziz commissioned international experts to conduct geological surveys and identify water resources, to the Kingdom’s emergence as a global leader in water management and sustainability. The mural also outlined future ambitions, including increasing water service coverage to 85% and sanitation coverage to 70%, ensuring a continuous 24-hour water supply, and expanding water production capacity to 21 million cubic meters per day by 2050 to serve more than 20,000 communities across the Kingdom. Saudi Water Week marked the first time that several major water-sector gatherings and consultations were brought together under one umbrella in the Kingdom, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s ambition to shape global discussions on water security and sustainable resource management ahead of the World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027.
