Statement by His Excellency, the President of the Saudi Water Authority
H.E. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Abdul-Karim
Innovation today stands as the cornerstone of building a secure and sustainable future for water resources. Addressing water challenges is no longer a local or regional matter alone; it has become a global concern interconnected with food security, economic stability, and environmental protection.
From this perspective, the fourth edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference reaffirms its role as a global platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of innovative solutions — not solely through presenting advanced technologies but through redefining innovation as a foundational pillar of sustainable development, and linking water issues to broader dimensions including climate change, energy security, and the circular economy.
The conference is structured around strategic pillars that reflect a comprehensive vision and highlight the breadth of innovation across the water sector:
- Circular water economy: reuse, loss reduction, and enhanced resource efficiency.
- Digitization and artificial intelligence: establishing intelligent systems for managing networks and reservoirs and improving predictive capabilities.
- Efficiency in water sector management: advancing governance and ensuring service sustainability through best practices.
- Water and energy: integrating resources to achieve both water and energy security.
- Financing and investment in innovation: directing capital toward innovative water projects.
- Regulation and policies: developing frameworks and legislation that support innovation and ensure balanced sustainability.
- Advancing the future of water solutions: driving research and technological pathways to confront emerging challenges.
- Public–private partnerships: enhancing international collaboration to build cross-border solutions.
This edition represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the conference, strengthening its position as an international platform for designing efficient, practical, and scalable solutions that transcend borders. Through this platform, we continue expanding avenues of international cooperation, leveraging research and technological capabilities, and embracing new pathways for leadership and empowerment — ensuring a secure water future for generations to come.
The conference convenes at a time when the Kingdom’s water sector has achieved major accomplishments, including the United Nations’ recognition of the Kingdom as a global model for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, the signing of the Global Water Organization Charter in Riyadh, and the launch of the Global Water Organization. These achievements demonstrate that the Kingdom has moved beyond participation to a position of leadership, shaping global approaches and future directions.
We view this conference as part of a global trajectory confidently led by the Kingdom, and as a platform to embed innovation as a strategic driver for ensuring the sustainability of water resources and enhancing international cooperation for a safer and more equitable future. Innovation is no longer an option for improving water management; it is a driving force for strategic transformation that integrates technology, policy, and knowledge — empowering societies to confront challenges and build a more sustainable and just future.
From the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we welcome innovators, experts, and decision-makers to join this global event, shaping solutions that transcend borders and contributing to a brighter future for all humanity.