Latest news with #WorldWaterForum
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Preparations for 11th World Water Forum begin in Riyadh
RIYADH: Preparations for the 11th World Water Forum, which will be held in 2027, officially began today in Riyadh. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture held a ceremony attended by officials to kick off the preparations. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, attended the event, as did Loic Fauchon, president of the World Water Council. Fauchon revealed how the council and authorities in Saudi Arabia are preparing for the event and stressed the importance of tackling water scarcity. Saudi Arabia called for international cooperation from governments and private organizations to address water challenges and mitigate the severity of water scarcity. The Kingdom also emphasized the importance of achieving sustainable development goals by making water and sanitation services accessible for all. A panel was set up to discuss global water priorities by a group of local and global experts, including Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, deputy minister for water, and Wu Wenqing, chief planner at the People's Republic of China's ministry of water resources. 'Water security is an urgent, global crisis … half of the world faces water scarcity every year,' Al-Shaibani said. Al-Shaibani during his speech underscored the gap between water demand and water supply and called for an urgent global effort to address this issue. He also highlighted how rising demand for water creates financial pressure on governments, eventually affecting the economy. 'Water infrastructure is essential. Some say water needs money, but money needs water, meaning the economy needs the water as an enabler for industries. 'Of course, water is a basic human right, as well as an economic enabler,' Al-Shaibani said. The World Water Forum is organized by the World Water Council and partners with host countries. The international conference provides a platform for countries to display sustainable practices and promote efforts to secure the management of water resources.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Science
- Zawya
The role of desalination in global water resilience
Water, the foundation of our society, is a fundamental life force. It drives global health, food security and economic stability. Covering over 70% of our planet, it is abundant — yet only a small fraction is freshwater and even less is accessible for human use. Throughout history, civilisations facing water scarcity have sought ways to make the ocean drinkable. Ancient Greek sailors boiled seawater, while Middle Eastern civilisations used early distillation methods from thermal distillations' process of boiling seawater and condensing the steam into freshwater. From the first patent of desalination in 1675 to the first desalination for ships built in England in 1884 and then the island of Aruba pioneering a desalination plant addressing the island's lack of freshwater sources — today, modern desalination technologies — the initial thermal, the newer reverse osmosis and even modern solar-powered systems, are transforming how we secure freshwater in arid regions, shaping the future of global water resilience. This is essential on a global scale; the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports about a quarter of the global population lack access to safe drinking water and nearly two-thirds experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. The impacts of climate change predict these numbers are only going to rise. IPCC predicts a global temperature increase of 2°C will cause 1 to 4 billion people to face challenges accessing reliable, safe water sources (2022). Furthermore, research by Nature Climate Change projects that over 80% of global croplands will face increased water scarcity by the end of the 21st century (2022). With millions lacking access to safe drinking water and agriculture struggling to meet rising demands, projections indicate that billions more will face water stress in the coming decades, exacerbating inequalities and straining ecosystems. For Oman, and other countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, desalination is especially important, with the area recognised as the most water-stressed globally; Oman ranking 12th of the 17 most water-stressed countries there. Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, demanding innovative and sustainable solutions. Today, the future of global water security depends not only on advanced desalination but also the integration of renewable energy, smart water management and emerging innovations. Water is not just a resource — it is the foundation of life. Securing it today means securing our future tomorrow. It is the lifeblood of our planet, flowing through every nation and generation. Only by uniting across borders and caring for each drop with wisdom can we ensure life's stream flows unbroken — vibrant and nourishing for all who follow. Collaboration is key, with international conferences, energy summits, and sustainability forums such as the UN Water Conference — the next of which is scheduled for the UAE in 2026, the World Water Forum — held every 3 years in different host countries and Oman Water Week — taking place in April this year. Such efforts are key in fostering cross-sector partnerships and investing in scalable, sustainable solutions, to ensure clean water remains accessible, resilient and a driving force for economic and social stability for generations to come. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Leaders
01-03-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Highlights Water Security Remarkable Milestones in Indonesia
Saudi Arabia has successfully combated its arid desert climate and introduced a promising role model in developing an integrated and sustainable model for water security, according to Arab News. Driven basically by important investments in desalination and an extensive water network, the sector's accomplishments have provided the population and key commercial sectors with a reliable water supply. These remarks were made by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture speakers during a World Water Forum focus group in Indonesia. As part of a global dialogue session titled 'From Bali to Riyadh and Beyond,' Deputy Minister for Water, Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, shed light on the Kingdom's efforts in water security. In this context, Al-Shaibani underscored that Saudi Arabia's sophisticated water system served as a living proof of the foresight of its leadership and its dedication to sustainable development. As for global water challenges, he emphasized the significance of greater international collaboration to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. Moreover, he considered water as a fundamental pillar of stability and development. Interestingly, Al-Shaibani added that the Kingdom greatly appreciated knowledge-sharing through several platforms such as the World Water Forum to tackle water scarcity worldwide. The session also outlined the outcomes from the 10th World Water Forum, which took place in Bali in May 2024 and witnessed the participation of various leaders, ministers, as well as officials from 160 countries. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Leads the World in Desalinated Water Production Saudi Arabia's Water Sector: A Year of Transformation SFD Collaborates with Global Water Organization to Support Development Projects Short link : Post Views: 7
Arab News
28-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia outlines water security achievements at global forum in Indonesia
JAKARTA: Saudi Arabia has defied its arid desert climate to successfully develop an integrated and sustainable model for water security, a World Water Forum focus group was told on Friday. The achievement, driven by significant investments in desalination and an extensive water network, has ensured a reliable water supply for the population as well as key commercial sectors, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture told stakeholders in Indonesia. Deputy Minister for Water, Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, highlighted the Kingdom's efforts while speaking at a global dialogue session 'From Bali to Riyadh and Beyond,' which was hosted by the World Water Forum in Jakarta on Thursday and Friday. The session reviewed the outcomes from the 10th World Water Forum, which took place in Bali in May 2024 and gathered leaders, ministers, and officials from 160 countries. Al-Shaibani emphasized that Saudi Arabia's sophisticated water system was a testament to the foresight of its leadership and its commitment to sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Addressing global water challenges, he called for greater international collaboration to develop innovative and sustainable solutions, recognizing water as a fundamental pillar of stability and development. Saudi Arabia valued knowledge-sharing through platforms such as the World Water Forum to tackle water scarcity worldwide, Al-Shaibani said.
