Saudi Arabia highlights clean water efforts at UN conference

Saudi Arabia at the UN 2023 Water Conference has highlighted its efforts in addressing water crises at the local and international levels, as well as the progress it has achieved in the sector.

The Kingdom also stressed the role of the Saudi National Water Strategy 2030 in developing a road map for the sector, contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It came during panel sessions recently held in New York City by the Kingdom on the sidelines of the UN 2023 Water Conference, with the participation of several international institutions active in the field of water, including the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Development Programme and the OECD.

Undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for Water Affairs Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani presented a comprehensive review of efforts and achievements by the water sector in the Kingdom, and its success in overcoming challenges through the launch of the National Water Strategy 2030.

Al-Shaibani also highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to confront water issues around the world as part of its presidency of the G20, and to support water infrastructure projects in developing countries, as well as contribute to scientific research by launching an international award, the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water.

Several speakers from agencies representing the water sector in the Kingdom took part in conference sessions, including the Saline Water Conversion Corp., General Irrigation Corp., National Water Co. and the Saudi Fund for Development, in addition to ACWA Power, which represented the private sector.

The UN Water Conference 2023 in New York City was hosted by the governments of the Netherlands and Tajikistan. It provides a platform for water sector initiatives as part of the sixth Sustainable Development Goal to ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.