Minister-of-Environment-Kingdom-aims-to-reduce-water-production-costs-by-50%

The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture confirmed that the Kingdom is moving forward with launching its international initiatives through the Global Water Organization, which aims to unify international efforts and enhance cooperation to find sustainable solutions to water challenges and address increasing global water stress.

He explained the Kingdom’s efforts to find financing solutions, exchange expertise in policies and integrated management, and activate links between various sectors such as environment, agriculture, energy, and health. This contributes to creating an enabling environment for effective water management, with a focus on private sector involvement.

Rome Water Dialogue

This came during the Minister’s participation in the “Rome Water Dialogue” within the Global Food Forum organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, coinciding with the celebration of the organization’s 80th anniversary.

The Global Water Organization has a great opportunity for success through challenge and cooperation among its members

He confirmed that the Kingdom holds global leadership in desalinated water production, being the largest water producer in the world with a capacity exceeding 16 million cubic meters per day. Through harnessing research, innovation, and building engineering capabilities, energy consumption has been reduced by approximately 50%, and costs have been lowered to the lowest global levels.

He continued: The Kingdom also possesses massive infrastructure for transporting water over distances exceeding 19,000 kilometers and elevations reaching three thousand meters. Water networks cover more than 82% of populated areas in the Kingdom, and there are promising opportunities to achieve feasibility in using low-salinity water for agricultural purposes. This aims to reduce stress on non-renewable water sources and optimize water use while enhancing sustainability through implementing an integrated water resources management approach.

Desalinated Water

He explained the signing of 25 contracts with private sector participation for several projects with investment volumes exceeding 104 billion riyals, including desalinated water production, transportation, and reuse projects. Additionally, the Kingdom has become an incubating environment for research and innovation, relying on scientific evidence in formulating sectoral policies and investing in knowledge and technology to achieve sustainability. The Kingdom aims to reduce water production costs by 50% and decrease non-renewable groundwater consumption by 90% by 2035.

He continued: A cloud seeding program has also been launched, utilizing various technologies and aircraft operated by national personnel. There have been 711 flights, resulting in a noticeable increase in rainfall estimated at 6.4 billion cubic meters, contributing to enhancing water sources. This represents part of the initiatives taken by the Kingdom to achieve food security and water source sustainability.

National Water Strategy

The Minister indicated that Saudi Vision 2030 brought about a qualitative shift in the water sector in the Kingdom, represented by the approval

Rome Water Dialogue

The Rome Water Dialogue is a global forum hosted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to address critical water challenges. It brings together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to share knowledge and promote sustainable water management. The dialogue aims to build on international efforts, such as the UN Water Conference, to accelerate progress towards global water security goals.

Global Food Forum

The Global Food Forum is an international conference that brings together leaders from business, government, and agriculture to discuss the future of food security, sustainability, and innovation. It was established to address the critical global challenges of feeding a growing population amidst climate change and resource constraints. The forum serves as a key platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration to shape policies and solutions for the world’s food systems.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established in 1945 to lead international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its work involves providing policy and technical assistance to countries, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and collecting and analyzing data on global food supplies.

Rome

Rome is the capital city of Italy, with a history spanning over 2,800 years. It was the heart of the ancient Roman Empire, leaving behind iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Today, it remains a global center of art, history, and culture, and is also the home of Vatican City, the spiritual center of the Catholic Church.

Global Water Organization

The Global Water Organization is a hypothetical entity representing international bodies that address water security and management worldwide. Such organizations, like the UN-Water or the World Water Council, typically focus on promoting sustainable water resources, sanitation access, and cooperation on transboundary water issues. Their history often stems from growing global recognition of water scarcity and the need for collaborative frameworks to achieve water-related Sustainable Development Goals.

Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic framework launched in 2016 to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. The vision is built upon three main themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation, with goals that include establishing a more sustainable and diversified economic base for future generations.

National Water Strategy

The National Water Strategy is not a physical place or cultural site, but a policy framework or government plan. It is a comprehensive plan developed to manage a nation’s water resources, addressing challenges such as scarcity, quality, and sustainability. Its history is rooted in the growing recognition of water security as a critical national and global issue, often evolving from earlier, more fragmented water policies.